Full text of "Messenger (1996)"

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Church of the Brethren 



January 1996 



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Linda Myers 

Sitaiison has a 

hackiiniiuul that 

uniquely qualities 

her for the uork 

of MtSShNGtR 

promotion. 



Slic lias been uorkinj; with us iov o\cr a \car, so it's liigli 
time \\c iiiiiLiduccd her in a mow loriiial way than the iiien- 
tiein we made ol Iter in this ci)iumn lor Deeember 1QQ4. 
Linda \]yers Swanson was liired in late \^^4 to gi\e us 
some extra lielp witii promoliiin. But before man\ montiis 
had passed, our long-time promotion eonsultant. Ken 

(.iibble. resigned, and Linda's job deseription 
ehaiiged. She toi'k ou Ken's wi.irk. hui it was 
pLissible to add new dimensions because Linda, 
unlike Ken, is LIgin -based and works right here 
in our (.itliee. Ihus she works much moie ckise- 
1\ with the subseriptii.)n i.lepartmeiii .md with 
the editi-irs. 

Lhat L.lgin base is an im|X)i-tant laeli.ir in 
Linda's qualitieation. LIgin has been hometown 
a long time lor Linda. Her lather, Carl L'. 
\l\eis. was a district e\ecuti\e here lor maii\ 
\eai's. and belore that he was on the General 
Board staff. IJnda worked here at the General 
edifices kir several \ears hersell. in Brethren 
Press marketing. Ihat ga\e her \aluable experi- 
ence lL>r her eui'rent marketing work with 
\ll ssFXCil k. That work and her famil\ back- 
ground has gi\en her a wide knowledge ol the 
Church ol the Brethren. Linda, her husband. 
Lee. and children. KeKev and Parkei'. are acti\c 
in I'Igin's Highland .A\enue Church ol the 
Brethien. Lhal gi\es Linda e\en more insight into the lile ol 
the (.lenomination. 

Linda spends a lot ol her work time on the plume, listen- 
ing to i^eople. i^ersuading congregati(.>ns to sta\ on the 
Mi ss( \(..rR gri.iup plan, and answeiing questions and si^iKing 
pioblenis li.li' our hundreds ol congregational representati\es. 

I eel free, \oursell. to call Linda, at (800) 323-803^. 
whencNcr you ha\e needs or i.|uestii.ins. She will be glad to 
hear Irom you. 




Primed on 
rcoclcd paper 

® 



COMING NEXT MONTH: A profile ot Annua! Conference 
moderator Fred Bernhard. written h\ Don Fitzkee. 



Editor 

Kermon Thomasson 

Managing Editor 

Nevin Dulabauni 

Editorial Assistant 

Paula S Wilding 

Production. Advertising 

Paul Slocksdale 

Subscriptions 

Vicki Roche, Martha Cupp 

Promotion 

Linda Myers Swanson 

Publistier 

Dale E Minnich 

Dislncl MLsscnjjcr rLprc»'CrHali\cs: 
\tLin(k Northcjsl. Ron l.ut/. Atlanlic 
Southeast. Ruby Raymcr; Illinois 
W'iscoiiMn. Krcsivni l.ip^Lonib; South 
L'cntryl Indiana. .Marjoric Miller; 
Michigan. Mane Willoughby; Miti 
XtKiniiL. Ann FuuIm Missouri Arkansas. 
I U(.i l.andcs. Nitrlhcm Plains, Faith 
Strom; Niirthern Ohio, Aliec I, L)ri\cr; 
Southern Ohio, laek Kline. Oregon 
Washington. Marguerite Shamberger; 
i^aeilk Southwest. RanJy Miller. Middle 
iVnns\lvania. l\\a Wampler; S^'uthern 
Peiinwhania. FInier U Oleini; Western 
Pennsyhiinia. lay Chnsiner; Shenandoah. 
lerry Hrunk; Southern Plains. \]ar\ Xnn 
Dell; \irlina, lXi\ id .^ Heine Webster; 
Western Plains, Dean Hummer; West 
M.irva Winom.i Spurgeon 

McNsenger is the oltleial publication ol the 
Church ot the Brethren I ntercd as sec 
ond-class matter Aug 1^. I'^lis. under 
V I ol Congress of Oct 17. N17 Filing 
date, \o\ I. \^^A. 
Messenger is a member ol 
the Associated Church Press 
,ind a subscriber iv> Keliguni 
\e\\s Service and 
Fxumenical Press Service. 
Biblical qui.itations. unless 
otherwise indicated, are from the New 
Re\i5cd Standard N'ersion 

Subscription rates; SlJ.iO individual 
rate. SI 0.50 church group plan. SIO 30 gilt 
subscriptions Student rate 75c* an issue II 
you move, clip addrvss lalx'l and send vvuh 
new address to .Mes>enger Subscriptions. 
1451 IXindec Ave . Elgin. IF b0120, ,-\llow 
at least live weeks lor adda'ss change. 
Messenger is owned and published 
1 1 times a year by the General Services 
Commission. Church cM the Brethren 
General Board Second-class postage paid 
at FIgin. ill., and al additional mailing 
office. January IQQb. Copyright IQPb. 
Church of the Brethren General Board. 
!SSN 002b-0555. 

POSTM.ASTFR: Send address 
changes to Messenger. 1451 Dundee 
Ave.. FIgin. IF 00120 





A 




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Proyecto Libertad 10 

Amanda C. Vender takes us along with her as she spends a 
day working with asylum seekers imprisoned at Port Isabel 
Service Processing Center. 

Who can withhold the baptizing water? 14 

Alice Archer says that, like Peter confronted by a vision sig- 
nifying needed change, we must examine our own taboos, 
biases, and traditions that may be keeping people away from 
our churches. 



In Touch 2 
Close to Home 4 
News b 

Stepping Stones 13 
From the 

General Secretary 
Letters 21 
Pontius" Puddle 28 
Partners in Prayer 
Turning Points 5 1 
Editorial 52 



26 



50 



Credits: 

Cover, 1,18: Ray F Hillstrom 

Ir, /Stock Photo Inc. 
Inside front cover: Kermon 

Thoinasson 
2: Shirley Spire 
4: Daniel M, Petry 
5 upper left: Chuck Savage 
5 lower left: Shailesh Christian 



leff Leard 
lohn Shenk 
Andrea Stremtnel 

Wallowitch 

Marvin Hayes 

Religion News Service 



Being a giant isn't easy 16 

It's not easy being a giant. Just ask Goliath. But, says 
Richard L. Landrum. we all can be giants of the faith, so 
long as we remember to give God the glory. 



No other gospel 



18 



Are you an exclusivist, a pluralist, or an inclusivist? Carl E. 
Braaten examines the ways Christians have of understanding 
other faiths and Christ's claim to be the only way to salva- 
tion. 

Keeping body and soul together 22 

David Radclitl's contention is that taith without works is a 
hollow, self-centered exercise. And social concern without 
spiritual grounding, on the other hand, robs our witness of 
its power. 

Christian unity: Harmony, not homogeneity, 
is the key 24 

Gregg A. Wilhelm counsels that, rather than striving for a 
strict unity in the Christian world, striving for tolerance for 
other Christians' beliefs is a more practical course. 

Cover story: Tlic 
Bahai tejiiplc in 
Wilniette. III., 
stainls as a syuihol 
of the pluralistic 
theory of religions. 
Turn to page IS 
for what Carl E. 
Braaten has to say 
on that subject. 




lanuarx Hi-lb Messenger 1 



rr 



Ui 1011(11 



New Haven's heritage 

Al a lionicconiing a t'cvv 
years back at New Haven 
Church o( the Brclliicn 
ncai- Sparia. N.C., Pauline 
Webb asked people if they 



thai she has added Dllicr 
items, many of them donat- 
ed by New Haven's pastor, 
89-year-old Clarence Priser 
(November 1992, page 2). 
Others are gifts to New- 
Haven from members of 




oasi 
ami 




When Pauline 

Webb realizeil her 

congrejiatidn was 

Jor}>eiiinji even ils 

most prominent 

forerunner, she 

decided it was 

time to create a 

heritage room. 



"hi Touch" prti)ilc> lircihivii ivc 
\i\iiikl tike you u> iih-ci. Send 
story iJecis and photos to "In 
touch. " Ml SSI \GLK. /-/i; 
Dundee Ave.. Elgin. II. bOI2U. 



had heard of Andrew 
lackson Sexton. She was 
taken aback thai many peo- 
ple did not recognize the 
name: all 30 charter mem- 
bers of New Ha\en, lound- 
ed in 1926, were Sexton's 
children or others of his 
descendants! 

Pauline, herself a Sexton 
grandchild, decided it was 
high time to make her con- 
gregation aware of its his- 
tory as well as the heritage 
of the denomination. That 
was the beginning of the 
New Haven Heritage 
Room. 

The nucleus of the col- 
lection of Brethren heritage 
memorabilia came from 
I'auline's own family. To 



the l^rethren Revi\al 
F"cllowship, including a tra- 
ditional Dunker frock coat 
and bonnet. 

Along with many old 
photos, there are old 
Brethren hymnals, old 
Gospel Messengers, and an 
Annual Conference moder- 
ator's gavel. This last item 
is a souvenir of the 250th 
anniversary of the denomi- 
nation (1958). made from 
wood collected along the 
Eder River in Germany. 

Pauline's heritage room 
bears witness to the fact 
that while New Haven's 
history is tied to one family 
in particular, the congrega- 
tion is part of a much larg- 
er Brethren family. 



Where peace is new 

I he health worker struck 
up a conversation with the 
SaKadoran woman she was 
examining: "So, how many 
children do you have'.'" 

"Thirteen" was the proud 
answer. Then after a slight 
pause the woman added, 
"But onl\ nine o\ them are 
alive." 

"Was it because of the 
war'.'" 

"bor cine of them. yes. 
The others died ol le\er 
aiul sickness as children. 
But my 1 1 -year-old son . . . 
he was a good boy. I le just 
got caught in the crossfire." 

Since 1992, Doctors of 
the World has been bring- 
ing health care to people 
in the rural pails of 111 
Salvador who are recon- 
structing their li\cs alter a 
12-\ear ci\il war. Audrey 
Edmundson of Manassas 
(Va.) Church of the 
Brethren has worked with 
the 111 Sahador proiecl for 
the past two summers. 

"I was first attracted to 
the organization, " she says, 
"by its mission, which is to 
use medicine as a tlcvicc to 
promote peace. Peace 
issues have always been 
important to me as a mem- 
ber oi ihc Church oi the 
Biethren. Working with 
Doctors of the World com- 
bines my Biethren pacifist 
and service values with my 
medical interests." 

f he I 992 111 Sahador 
|ieace accords ended a bru- 
tal civil war notorious for 
its death squads and gross 
human rights \iolations. 
But there still is nothing 
noticeably dilleicnl in the 
social structure. 

Doctors of the World 



2 Me.ssL-ngcr jamiarv IQOC) 




Audrey Edmundson reads a story to Salvadoran friends. 



brings together the govern- 
ment and former guerrillas 
to evaluate the health prob- 
lems of the rural poor. The 
meetings allow the former 
adversaries to see each 
other in a more human 
light and open communica- 
tion that may prevent 
tuture conflicts. 

But emotional and physi- 
cal scars are still evident. 
Affordable and accessible 
health care is not available 
for most Salvadorans. 
Doctors of the World works 
at that problem as well. 

Audrey occasionally meets 
Salvadorans who know oi 
the Church of the Brethren 
presence and interest in 
Latin America. She says, 
"From helping with refugees 
to maintaining a good rela- 
tionship with Iglesia 
Baiitista liiuiiiuel in San 
Salvador, the Brethren have 
become widely known and 
appreciated in El Salvador." 

Since the United Nations 
pulled out of El Salvador in 
early 1995, the Salvadoran 
army increasingly has 
become more visible. 
"Hardly a day went by last 



summer," .Audrey says, 
"without my seeing an 
army helicopter overhead 
or large groups of soldiers 
just standing around, mak- 
ing their presence known." 
It's a crucial time for El 
Salvador, and Audrey is 
grateful for her opportunity 
to work as a Brethren 
peacemaker among its 
neediest citizens. 



Names in the news 

David S. Young of Drexel 
Hill (Pa.) Church of the 
Brethren serves as volun- 
teer managing editor of 
lounuil for the Academy of 
Eviingelisiii. a worldwide 
interdenominational journal 
for professors of evange- 
lism in seminaries and for 
denominational leaders in 
evangelism and renewal. 
• Randy Miller of La 
Verne (Calif.) Church of the 
Brethren, had an exhibit. 
"Face to Face: Photograph- 
ing the Developing World," 
at the University of La 
Verne's Carlson Gallery, 



October 25-December 20. 
The exhibit featured pho- 
tographs of men, women, 
and children and their com- 
munities around the world. 
Randy is managing editor 
of Together, a magazine of 
World Vision International, 
a position that takes him to 
many countries on assign- 
ments. An editorial assistant 
with Messenger 1974- 
1975, Randy photographed 
the 1978 and 1979 Annual 
Conferences for the 
magazine. 

• Lena Ott Coffman, 
librarian for La Verne 
(CaliL) Church of the 
Brethren, received the Pat 
Tabler Memorial Scholarship 
Award at the 1995 Church 
and Synagogue Library 
Association (CSLA) confer- 
ence in Buffalo, N,Y. The 
award is given to a 



.Missions in September. 
Scott and Judy Haldeman, 

members of Chiques 
Church of the Brethren. 
Manheim, Pa., are assigned 
to a women's shelter in 
Aflex, Ky. Crystal Oellig of 
Hanoverdale Church ot the 
Brethren, Hummelstown, 




liidy diiJ Scon iliilJciihut 




Cn^hil Ofllig Megan Heiicy 




Lena Coffinan won an award for her church library work. 



congregational librarian who 
has creatively and systemati- 
cally established a new 
library or I'evived an old one. 
Lena is president ol the Los 
Angeles County chapter ot 
CSLA. 

• Three Brethren began 
two-year terms of service 
with Eastern Mennonite 



Pa., is serving with Habitat 
for Humanity, Americus, 
Ga. And Megan Heisey of 

Florin Church of the 
Brethren in Mount loy. Pa., 
leaxes in January for an 
eight-month stint with a 
^'outh Evangelism Service 
(YES) team in jakkmokk, 
Sweden. 



|,inu.n\ I'-T-Ui .Messenger 2 




(line 



Indiana youth lend a hand in Kentucky 

Sixteen youth Ironi Middlcbury (Ind.) Church of the 
Brethren spent |uly 1 7-25 in a workcamp at Lend-a- 
Hand Center, a Christian mission in tlie Kentucky moun- 
tains. Tlie group worked for four days on the subsistence 
farm of the mission, which is directed by its founders. 
Irma Gall and Peggy Kemncr. 

The workcamp projects included building an automobile 
bridge across a branch of Stinking Creek, weeding a corn- 




Middlehiiry youth 

built this autoiiwhilc 

bridge across Stinkin^i 

Creek during their 

workcamp at Lend-a- 

Ihiiid Center in 

Kentucky. 



field by hand, cutting wood, fencing a pig pen, "putting 
up" garden produce, and barbed-wire fencing several 
acres of woods. The Hoosier helpers also conducted a 
carnival for the local children and youth, held on the 
Lend-a-Hand lawn. 

The workcamp was so successlul, another is being 
planned for 1996. — DANIEL M. Petiw 

Piiiiicl \l I'diy /.s pcH'icir (}f MiJillcliiiiy (IiuL) Clitiivh ofihc Hrcihivii 



"Close to lliinic" highliiilils 
news oj coHfiivgiilidiis. districts, 
colleges. Itotites. and otiicr luciil 
and rcfiional life. Send story 
ideas and pitolos to "Close to 
//o/iic. " MPSsrsGIR. 14^1 
Dtnidee.Ave.. Elgin. 11. Mli:0 



Campus comments 

During "Make a Difference 
Day." October 28. the men 
ol Manchester College's 
Schualm I lall held a "Walk 
iov Hunger." The walkers 
collected pledges from 
town residents, raising 
money for the North 
Manchester Food Pantry 
and Heifer Project 
International. 

• Bethany Theological 
Seminary admitted 2b new 
Hrelhren students this past 



fall. In a student body ol 
73. there are 65 Brethren. 
Women make up 4 1 pei- 
cent of the student body 
and 4U percent of the 
Brethren students. Among 
the six Brethren undergrad- 
uate schools, only 
McPherson College is not 
lepresented in the present 
Bethany student body. 
"Bethany's growing student 
body represents the Iruits 
of partnership," said 
President Gene Roop. who 
attributes the increase to 



the wcirk of "congregations 
that nuiture and call, dis- 
tricts that license and men- 
tor, and the colleges that 
counsel and prepare." 

• McPherson College 
disjilayed four 12-feet by 
I 2-lcct sections of the 
AIDS Memorial Quilt 
November 26-December 1 
(World AIDS Day). 
"Remembrance and 
Healing" was the theme of 
activities planned around 
the display. The AIDS 
Quilt is an international 
memorial to ]ieo]ile who 
have died of AIDS. It is 
maintained by The Names 
Project Foundation of San 
Francisco. Calil. 

• Manchester College 
helped celebrate the 
October 50th anniversary 
ol the Lhiited Nations by 
hosting a model UN 
Security Council, an inter- 
national business seminar, 
and the third annual 
Manchester International 
Fair. Highlighted was the 
work of Andrew W. 
Cordier. a Manchester 
graduate and professor 
who went on to be a 
United Nations leader 
(Se|"itember. page 14). 

• Elizabethtown 
College's ^c)ung Center will 
present a drama. "Dirk's 
Exodus," March 8-10. 
15-17. The drama portrays 
the experiences of 
Anabaptist martyr Dirk 
Willems (April 1991, page 
50) and explores the moral 
and religious issues emerg- 
ing from this heroic story 
of nonresistant love and 
sersice. 

• Manchester College 
emphasizes the hiring of 
Brethren alumni, rellected 
in a photo of four returned 



4 Messenger fiinuary I'iQb 




Manchester staff members (front) Wendy Gratz-Bonmin. 
Dave McFadden. (back) Ed Cable, and Jo Young Siiitzer 
are MC graduates who recently have returned to sene. 



graduates. Wendy Gratz- 
Borman began this fall as 
assoeiate vice president tor 
institutional advancement 
and director of major gifts. 
David McFadden arrived in 
August 1995 as vice presi- 
dent of enrollment manage- 
ment. Ed Cable became 
vice president and treasurer 
in lune 1994. |o Young 
Switzer, who joined the 
staff in 1995. now is vice 
president and dean of acad- 
emic affairs. 



A Brethren peace park 

Land that Naperville (111.) 
Church of the Brethren 
donated to the city of 
Naper\'ille for the extension 
of its Riverwalk was dedi- 
cated October 29 as the 
Brethren Peace Park. The 
dedication was part of the 
Naperville congregation's 
celebration of its 1 40th 
anniversary. 

The landscaped park has 
benches for Ri\'erwalk hik- 



ers to rest on, and there is a 
bronze plaque summarizing 
the history of the Naperville 
church. The spirit of the 
park's creation was jeopar- 
dized at one point when cit- 
izens heard that the city was 
constructing a wall ("for 
safety reasons") around the 
park. The conflict was 
resolved by the city altering 
construction to provide 
easy access. 

Former Bethany Seminary 
professor Dale Brown 
spoke at the dedication on 
"Personal Reflections of a 
Peacemaker." The church's 
Gujarati Choir provided 
music, and a potluck dinner 
followed the ceremony. City 
officials and the public par- 
ticipated along with the 
congregation. Music for the 
afternoon session at the 
church came from the 
Naperville Men's Glee Club. 
Dale Brown spoke again, on 
"Contemporary Peace 
Issues and Visions of the 
Future." 



Dee Netzley Schumacher and Chuck Erb, descendants of 

the Netzley and Erb founding families of Napenille church, J\\\$ 3n(j that 

unveiled the bronze plaque placed in the new Peace Park. 

It 




Briery Branch Church o\ 
the Brethren, near Dayton. 
Va.. is building a S45.000 
addition to the church that 
includes an elevator and a 
handicap-accessible 
restroom. The church is 
voluntarily complying with 
the Americans with 
Disabilities Act calling for 
public buildings to be made 
handicap -accessible. 

• Five youth from Spring 
Run Church of the Brethren 
and Pine Glen Church of the 
Brethren, both near McVey- 
town. Pa., spent .August 7-15 
helping Genesis Fellowship 



Church of the Brethren in 
Putney. Vt., with \'arious 
tasks. They painted the 
church, cut and hauled fire- 
wood, rebuilt a stone wall, 
and helped Putney communi- 
ty members in their homes. 
The Spring Run workers 
were Kristi Cavanaugh, 
Kelly Shannon, and youth 
adviser Tim Specht. From 
Pine Glen were Erin 
Harshbarger. |odi Gumbert. 
and Rachel Carroll. 

• Annual Conference 
will be held in Long Beach. 
Calif., next year, but there 
will be no Long Beach 
Church of the Brethren to 
help host it. The problem- 
wracked congregation 
closed its doors December 
51 in a service of "celebra- 
tion and grieving, reunion 
and termination." 



Let's celebrate 

Mill Creek Church of the 
Brethren, Port Republic, 
"Va,. celebrated its 155th 
anniversary on October 22. 

• Pleasant Plains 
Church of the Brethren 
near McWillie. Okla.. 
marked its centennial with 
a service on October 1 5. 
Pastor lohn Schmidt of 
Pampa (Texas) Church of 
the Brethren was guest 
speaker, 

• Thomas (Okla.) 
Church of the Brethren cel- 
ebrated its centennial on 
November 19, Philip Dell 
was guest speaker. 

• Fellowship Church of 
the Brethren near Martins- 
burg, W.Va.. celebrated its 
25th anniverary on Sept- 
ember 1 7, with former pastor 
Robert .Alley as gxiest speaker. 



liinuiiiy I'-I'-^C" Mcs.seiigcr 5 




Young Adults reflect on the 
church s ties and struggles 

nisciissint: ilnisivc issues Uicing the 
C'luncli ol llic l^iclhrcn was how 154 
young adults spent tiicir 1 hanksgixing 
holidas. meeting at Camp Woodland 
Altai's in Peebles. Oiiio. Nosemher 
2 5-25. lor the annual C'huieh ol the 
Bretiiivn Young Ailull C'onteivnee. 

The theme. "The Tie that Binds." 
was a starting point tor the weekend ol 




CItristoplter Fitz and 
Bobbi \rrill(tga 
demonstrate how to 
dance a merengue during 
the Young Adult Con- 
ference's talent sliou-. 
Other activities that 
evening included group 
singing, poetry reading, 
guitar playing and skits. 



Tlh' ;irir> pages inchule nctis Jnnti ilic Church of 
ihi- Hivihrei! onjiininiiiuns and iiKinbcrs. and of 
organizations and people ol inleres: lo or affdialed 
nidi the Cliiircli of dw lirediren \e\\s items are 
iiuended to inform: 'I'licy do not necessarily repre- 
sent die opinions of MrssrsorK or ilie (iencral 
Hoard, and slionld not Iv considered lo he an 
endorsement. 



dialog. Sessions led b\ former .Annual 
Conference moderator Judy Mills 
Reinier focused on identihing contro- 
versial issues facing the denomination 
and looking at methods of rcsoKing 
them. 

"Where are our manners in the 
Church ot the Brethren?" asked 
Reimer in the opening session, as she 
quesiiemed the church's abilits to 
peacelull\ resoKe its dillerences. 

.According to Reimer. the church has 
forgotten what it ineans to be mem- 
bers oi the body of Christ, becoming 
more and more like the current session 
of Congress, struggling to hash out its 
irreconcilable dillerences. Church 
members sometimes arc like children 
in a sandbo.x bickering o\er little dis- 
tinctions, she said. 

During I^eimer's session. \\)ung 
adults were charsed with the task ol 



identil\ing some ol the issues that tie 
the Church oi the Biethren ti-'gether. 
as well as some that di\ide. These 
were listetl and brielly discussed in 
small groups. 'I'he groups then |iut 
thcii' creative talents lo work in per- 
forming skits to illustrate both the ties 
and the struggles. 

Issues identilied during the session 
included biblical inter|iretation, Chris- 
tology. stewardship. luimose\ualit>'. 
and creed. 

Some ol those who ai'c quite lamil- 
iar with these issues, however, felt 
there was not enough lime lo thor- 
>.iughK discuss ihem. "We were able to 
name, but not address the issues," said 
Laura \an \borhis. a ihird-vear 
Bethany Seminarv student who was 
Iruslrated bv the lack of depth in the 
discussions. "In the denomination, 
we're at a very critical time when we 
need to talk about this stull." she said. 

Others lell that the group sessions 
were invaluable within the conference 
setting. Steve Brady, attending the 
conlerence lor the lourth time. said, 
"ludv has a real genuine love for the 
church." 

According to Brady, she has a spe- 
cial concern for young adults and 
wants lo hear their o|iinions. "The 
most important thing (during the con- 
lerence) is tiie dialog young adults 
have together." he said. 

Outside ol group sessions, activities 
included insight sessions and work- 
shops, tree time, and worship ser- 
vices — including a Taize service. Some 
of the insight session topics dealt with 
anger, simple living, clowning, singles 
issues, group contlict. contemporary 
music in worship, and spiritual 
gixnvth. Duiing the weekend. 122 
pairs ol spare glasses were collected to 
be sent to F.I Salvador for people who 
need them. 

With a lull schedule of activities, the 
biggest frustration of the weekend was 
that participants did not have time to 
get to know each other as well as they 
would have liked. "It's just hard to get 
to know I 54 people in two days." 
Bradv said. — |i;[ r Lii.\RD 



6 Messenger |;mu;ir\ l>-T'-1b 



Online services connect 
Brethren on the internet 

Church of the Brethren members in 
November received a new way to dia- 
log with each other — by computer. 

Two services, called list servers, were 
created by Church of the Brethren 
member Mike Willoughby of Lake 
Park, Fla. One list server is for adults, 
the other for youth and young adults. 

Willoughby. a member of Marilla 
Church of the Brethren, near Kaieva, 
Mich., set up the lists because he 
wanted "to contribute to the Church of 
the Brethren community." As a resi- 
dent of Lake Park, he feels geographi- 
cally removed from the denomination. 

"Being separated physically, yet able 
to be a part of the community elec- 
tronically, is very gratifying." Wil- 
loughby said. "There are some very 
exciting things happening within the 
Church of the Brethren, and being able 
to read what others think about those 
issues helps me come to a better 
understanding of my own views and 
feelings." 

The two lists are maintained in the 
computers of MGLQualtec. of North 
Palm Beach, Fla., where Willoughby 
works as the company's computer net- 



work administrator. 

To join each list server, write to 
COB -L-request((( Qualtec.com or 
COB-^'^'A-request(« Oualtec.com 
(adults or youth and young adults, 
respectively). On the subject line of the 
E-mail message. Virite "subscribe." 
You then will receive all of the notes 
posted to the list server. After one 
week the adult list had more than bO 
readers; the youth over 20. 

The lists join another electronic ser- 
vice aimed at keeping Brethren abreast 
of what is happening denominational- 
ly. Newsline, a weekly service by the 
General Board's Communication 
Team, is sent online each Thursday 
with an update on Church of the 
Brethren News. For those without 
computer access, Newsline can be 
heard by calling (410) 65 5-8758. 

Other Communication Team publi- 
cations also sent online are press 
releases. Messenger news, and 
Agenda. During Annual Conference 
each night's sermon and each Con- 
ference fournal also is sent. 

To I'eceive these publications, send a 
request to COBNewsCy A0L.COM via 
E-mail or call News Services at (800) 
525-8059. ext. 257. 
— Nevin Dulabaum 




Brethren Volunteer Service/Brethren Revival Fellowship Unit 218 received 
orientation in Ro.xbury, Pa., August 13-25. Members are (left to right) Eric 
Long, Linda Greiner, Melody Keller, Carl Ocker, Barbara Ocker, Michael 
Marlow, Ellen Arndt, Nathan .Arndt. John Shenk (staff), David Cable, and 
Ruby Shenk (staff). (See page 51 for assignments.) 



OEPA initiates new program 
of peacemaking for families 

Families for Peace, a new program of 
On Earth Peace Assembly (OEPA). 
was inaugurated in November "to pro- 
vide adults with a means to promote 
the teachings of |esus Christ and the 
Church of the Brethren from one gen- 
eration to the next." 

For $60 per quarter, families can 
join the program and receive various 
peacemaking resources for all ages. 

"If we are not intentional about 
teaching what we believe from our 
Christian faith within our families, the 
likelihood of having a peace tradition 
based on the teachings of lesus surviv- 
ing into succeeding generations is very 
small," said Tom Hurst, director of 
OEPA.— Paula S. Wilding 



'Fill the Ark' to sail back into 
Brethren churches in May 

Congregational response was so great 
to 1994's Fill the Ark campaign that 
churches will have the opportunity to 
do it again in 1996. 

Over $55,500 was raised in 1994 
through the 26,476 arks that were 
ordered by 257 Church of the 
Brethren congregations. 

The dates suggested by the office of 
Congregational Support for the 1996 
campaign are May 5-|une 2. but con- 
gregations are welcome to use the five- 
week program when they choose. 

The Fill the Ark project is jointly 
sponsored by the Church of the 
Brethren and Heifer Project Inter- 
national (HPI). and was initiated in 
conjunction with HPi's 50th anniver- 
sary in 1995. 

More information will follow in the 
March Source resource packet, which 
will be sent in early February by the 
office of Interpretation to all Church 
of the Brethren congregations. Inform- 
ation also is available through the 
office of Congregational Support at 
(800) 525-8059.— RS.W. 

|aiui,ir\ I'-I'^b Messenger 7 



K 



Peace serpent moves to new 
home in cliildren s hospital 

The scipcnl peace seulpUire ihal was 
eonslructci-i h\ ineiiilieis ol the Co- 
kmibia (Md.) Liiileii Christian Chuivh 
and displayed at Annual C'onlerenee in 
C'harkttte im \o\enibcr was deli\ ■ 
eied tt) its new. peimaiient home — tlie 
National Children's Metlieal C'eiitef in 
Washington, D.C. 

The serpent sculpture, which .stands 
six feet tall and 1 feet long, also was 
used in a national s\mposiuni on child 
\ictiniizatic>n. 

The sculpture was designed h\ two 
local arlisls who used \iolent toys 
lui'ned in b\ o\er 300 area children 
during the Columbia church's 
I'ebruars "X iolent Voy Turn- In." 

The Columbia church is jointly affili- 
ated with the Church of the Brethren. 
the Disciples ol Christ and the United 
Lliuich o\ Christ. 



Review ot End-ot-Life' paper 
to be finished by January 15 

The proposed .Annual Conlerence 
paper. "End-of-Lile Decision-Making: 
A Faith Perspective for the Church of 
the Brethren." was distributed for con- 
gregational stud\ and rcllection in 
early December. 

The draft, which was enckised in the 
lanuary, February Source congrega- 
tional resource packet, was to be stud- 
ied by congregations with comments 
returned to the Association ol Brethren 
Caregivers (ABC) for consideratit)n in 
the revising of tlie dralt by lanuary I 5. 

The statement on end-ol-lile issues 
conies from tlie work of the Cicneral 
Board and ABC on a new statement on 
lite stewardshii"). and includes a re- 
sponse to the 1Q05 Annual Conference 
query on assisted suicide. 

The statement, which is in its fifth 
draft, has been reviewed by caregivers, 
professionals, the .ABC Board, the 
General Board, and others. After feed- 
back is considered, a final draft of the 



statement will be brought lor approval 
to the ABC BoartI and the Ccneral 
Board during their s]ii-ing meetings. If 
approved, the statement will be |irc- 
sented at the I OOb Annual Conlerence. 

Copies o\ the draft can be obtained 
through ABC bv calling (800) '523- 
803^). e\t. 410. 



Phone numbers change for 
two General Board offices 

Both the Church of the Brethren 
General Offices in Elgin, 111., and the 
Conlerence Center at the Brethren 
Service Center. New Windsor. Md., 
iiave changes to their phone numbers. 

A new area code will be issued this 
month for an area west of Chicago 
that includes the General Offices. The 
area code is changing Irom 708 to 
847. effective lanuary 20. There will 
be a ihree-month grace period during 
which bi.)th numbers will work. 

In November, the Conference 



Center installed a new toll-lree number 
lor people seeking booking informa- 
tion — (800) 76b- 1 551. 



Calendar 



General ISourd meeliiiiJ^. CSciKinl C)lficcs. 

M.irch 7 \: 

Travel seminar lo Holland. spunsDicJ by 
Bclhiiin theological Seminary. Marcli 
21-31 KonkKl lelTHach. Betlianv 
Tlieologieal Seminary. (il7) "-l^)- 
1 8 KS I , 

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering 
Kmphasis. Maixli 24 K\im.i..l llic olTice 
ol Stewardsliip. General OlTiees. (80U) 
■)2"i.80")Q|. 

National Youth Chri.slian Cili/enship 
Seminar, "Bihlieal Values and Media 
Myths." New 'I'ork Cily and Washinglon. 
DC. ,'\pril li ly jConlaet Vuulh 
Minisiiies. General Ollleesj, 

Assoeialion of brethren Caregivers 
(ABC) Board meetings. General 
OlTiees. April IQ-21, 




Rrc'tltrcit Volunteer Service Unit 219 received orientation in Oak Brook, 
III., October 22-November It. Members are (front row) Heather Horner, 
Christy Van Horn. Amber Allen. Lisa fantzen. Tracey Elmore. Troy Reimer 
(BVS orientation assistant), and Brad Fox: (second roiv) Chanda Edwards. 
Melissa Ma^ee. Dorine Nafzinger. Beka Wood. Chris Rhudy, and Todd Reish 
(BVS orientation director); (third row) Jeff Leard, Matt Keller. Tamiko 
Horner, and Andrew Taylor: (back row) Tint Messier. Andrianne Wallace, 
Maryanne Yerkes, and jane Orlando. (See page 5/ for assignments.) 



8 .Messenger lanuary IQQb 



Ill Drie 



Two trips to Guatemala will be offered next year by the Denomi- 
national Peace Witness and Latin America offices. In March, a 
Guatemalan accompaniment delegation will visit communities 
where former refugees have returned. A workcamp to Guatemala, 
where participants will help resettling refugees, is scheduled for 
October 28-November 6. 

The offices also are looking for congregations to become 
Partners in Accompaniment to Guatemala. Congregations may 
develop a relationship with a Guatemalan community, or sponsor or 
send an accompanier Contact either the Denominational Peace 
Witness or Latin America offices at (800) 323-8039. 

Extending violence reduction projects was affirmed in October 
by the steering committee of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), 
meeting in Chicago. The committee approved project extensions in 
Haiti, Washington. D.C., and Hebron, West Bank. The committee 
also approved a project in Chechnya, Russia, which is contingent 
on the raising of $75,000 and the recruitment of four peacemakers 
with Russian language skills. 

CPT is looking for volunteers to serve from two weeks to six 
months at any of these projects. Contact CPT at (31 2) 455-1 1 99. 

Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) provided funds to four projects 
in November and December A grant of $24,000 was allocated to 

1 help long-term recovery and Cooperative Disaster Child Care pro- 
jects in the Caribbean following Hurricane Marilyn. Projects helping 

j people affected by tropical storms and a typhoon in the Philippines 
were granted $10,000. 
A grant of $5,000 was allocated for emergency relief in 

' Bangladesh after severe flooding. Another $5,000 was allocated to 
Mision Cristiana, a partner church that is helping people in 
Nicaragua who were affected by an epidemic caused by flooding. 

A church leadership and renewal conterence. Servants of 
the Living Springs: Servant-Leadership and Church Renewal," will 
be co-sponsored by The Andrew Center on February 13 at the 
Daylesford Abbey Paoli, Pa. Envisioned and organized by David S. 
Young, the one-day conference also is sponsored by the Greenleaf 
Center of Servant Leadership in Indianapolis. For more information, 
: contact The Andrew Center at (800) 774-3360. 

The executions of nine Nigerian human rights activists 

1 prompted several reactions from around the world in December 
The executed activists, including leader Ken Saro-Wiwa, belonged 
to the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), an 
activist group fighting against Nigeria's military government. Even 
though the Ogoni region produces 25 per cent of Nigeria's oil 
exports, the Ogoni people do not have any political or economic 
rights because of their minority status. 

The Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland is calling for the 
British government to instate an oil embargo and freeze Nigerian 
assets held in foreign banks. The Christian Association of Nigeria 
(CAN) also made a statement against Nigeria's military government, 
stating that the international community should "stand firm in its 



efforts in the struggle for human rights and democracy in our 
nation." CAN urged that any actions taken, however, should not 
"add further to the pains and sufferings of our already impoverished 
people." 

Through its special fund to combat racism, the World Council of 
Churches (WCC) pledged $13,000 to MOSOP as it continues to 
speak against the Nigerian military government. The funds will be 
used for humanitarian purposes and legal aid for Ogoni detainees. 
The WCC also will give $87,000 to 11 other groups fighting racism 
in 1996. (Ecumenical News International) 

The end of the world theory, a major belief of the Jehovah's 
Witnesses, has been abandoned by that sect. A main tenet of 
Jehovah's Witnesses has been that the generation aware of events 
in 1914 would live to see the end of the world. After re-reading the 
Scriptures, the leadership, which represents 4.7 million Witnesses, 
stated they see "'this generation' as the people of a historical era 
rather than the lifespan of certain individuals." 

According to a spokesman, "It doesn't change our belief that we 
are living in the time of the end." {Religion News Service) 

The Bible: A Novel. Lion Publishing, a British Christian publishing 
house, is denying allegations that its "The Book of God" is more of 
a sensationalized novel than a version of the Bible. After the book 
was compared to "bodice-ripping" novels by the British press, 
bookstores in Great Britain had a surge in advance orders. The 
book is due out in Great Britain and the United States early this year 

While the publishers deny that the book sensationalizes the Bible, 
they do concede that it is geared toward the unchurched and those 
who would not normally read the Bible. 

According to a Lion spokesperson, it is written like a novel so 
that "someone not familiar with it could read it as a gripping story 
for the first time." (ENI) 

A 'hate-free' Bible that was published in 1995 claims to have a 
New Testament that is free of anti-Jewish bias, unlike other versions 
of the New Testament. The Contemporary English Version Bible, 
which is published by the American Bible Society, clarifies the dis- 
tinction between the Jews who followed Jesus and those who 
opposed his teachings. 

The bible's senior translation officer stated that using the New 
Testament to incite anti-Jewish sentiments "is to deny the efficacy 
of the work of Christ and the overall message of the New 
Testament." (ENI) 

And finally, evangelizing extraterrestrials is a concern of 
Roman Catholic priest and theologian Piero Coda. When two 
Geneva astronomers announced that they had discovered another 
solar system. Coda voiced his concern to the Vatican, "If life were 
to be found on the planet, then it would also have been contaminat- 
ed by original sin and would require salvation," Coda said. 

A professor at Pontifical Gregorian University argued back that 
"we know that earthmen sinned, but we know nothing about beings 
in other worlds." (RNS) 



lanuarv 1 996 Messengei' 9 



My name is Amanda. I work for 

Proyecto Libertad 



by Amanda C. Vender 

D living along a couiiliy I'oad 
in Soiilh Texas, a person 
can conic to hclic\c tliat the 
workl rcall) is tlat. \ glance 
oui ihe right side ol the car oilers a 
\ie\\ ot neat rows oi,' tiny cotton |ilants 
Hashing by. Stripes o\ the young, 
green plants intersperse the dark, irri- 
gated dirt. On the left is knee-high 
sorghum, a beaulilul hin-nt red color, 
and yellow tulls at the lop ol the 
plants blow with the \\ ind lor as far as 
the eye can see. Straight ahead is 
nothing but the sizzling Texan road for 
miles. With the road to myselk 1 often 
clock 70 or 75 miles an hour, and the 
wind that beats on m\ face helps nie 
forget the humidity o\ a summer day. 

The Rio Grande \alley of lexas is a 
place like none other in the world. 
Here, a blend of Texan and .Mexican 
lla\ors form a uniciue border culture. 
South Texas is where the accordion 
accompanies a syncopated beat and 
serenades as Tejano music on the most 
popular radio stations, where a night at 
the mo\ies recjuires fitted jeans, cowboy 
boots, and a tall, white hat. and where 
earh in the morning you can sit along 
the banks of the Rio Grande River and 
watch petiple anxiously wade across. 
Tejano music and cowboy hats grev\- on 
me as I became accustomed to life in 
the Valley, but it was the people who 
wade across the river risking their lives 
in search ot a futui'c in the L S who 
brought me here in the first place. 

I drive that long stretch of Texan 
road about four times a week as I 
make my way to the I'ort Isabel 
Service Processing Center, a prison 
for deportable "aliens." Most of the 
people detained there never make it 
very far past the river. They are picked 
up by the Immigration Service. "La 
Migra." either in Texas or in some 
other part of the country. My job is to 

10 .Mc>sciigor latiuarv I99ti 



The people I meet 

in my tiny room are 

from all continents 

of the world. They 

most often are 

weary and without 

hope. Most have 

persecuted 

home 

countries. 



assist people in knowing and advocat- 
ing for their rights as immigrants or 
asylum seekers throughout their 
"deportation proceedings." 

.•\pproaching the camp. I see a group 
of men dressed in bright orange uni- 
forms playing soccer. .A tall fence 
topped with curled barbed wire sepa- 
rates us. The men look tiny, and most 
o\' them are. .At five feet seven inches. I 
usually tower over my Central 
American and .Asian clients. The taller 
.Africans. liastern Europeans, and 
Middle Easterners play basketball 
alongside them. I have heard detainees 
say that the Chinese play a good game 
of basketball in spite of their height. 

I have never watched a game at the 
detention center. Mv movement at the 
camp is strictly limited to a room divid- 
ed into seven interview spaces. The 
rooms are cM and sterile. Walls cov- 
ered with thick brown rug muffle the 
murmurs ol languages, stories, and 
tears. "My name is Amanda. I work for 
I'royecto IJbertad (The Freedom 
Project)." 1 explain as 1 inti'oducc myself 
to a potential client. "I'i-oyecto does not 
work with the Immigration Service or 
with the government. 1 can't represent 



you in court because Em 

not a lawyer, but I am a 

paralegal. I can help yi,Hi 

find out whether there 

may be a way for you to 

stav in the Liiiled 

Slates, and I may be 

able to hel]T you lower 

your bail bond, contaci 

lamily members, and 

com|ilele documents in 

English. We do not 

charge for our services, but we accept 

donations. Proyecto is funded through 

churches and foundations." 1 continue 

with a series of logistical questions — the 

person's correct name and identification 

number, country ol origin, dale oi 

entry, and so forth. 

The people I meet in my tiny room 
are from all continents of the world, 
tiiough the majority are Central 
.American. Some crossed the southern 
US border and others were moved 
to the prison in south Texas from 
other parts of the country by the 
Immigration and Naturalization 
Service. They most often arc weary 
and without hope. Most have been 
persecuted in their home countries 
and decided to leave their families and 
friends, their language and culture, to 
travel to the United States in pursuit 
o\ a better life. Those who travel north 
on fool bom Latin .America usually 
work along the way to pay for their 
trip. The journey isn't safe. Many 
women who are forced to this route 
are raped at least once along the way. 
Eor some, such as Haitians and 
Cubans, the voyage is by rait, while 
others, as stowaways, spend days in 
tiny containers on a ship. Most asylum 
seekers who reach the United States 
assume that the worst is over. Very few 
are aware that they may be locked 
away in a prison cell, a fate similar to 
the one they hoped to leave behind in 
their home country. 




"If I return to my country 1 will be 
killed by the opposition party." a 
Honduran woman tells me. She was 
the leader of the Liberal Party in her 
town and received several death 
threats because of her activism. 

"They told me not to come back to 
work anymore or they would kill me." 
recounts the Nigerian mechanic. A 
drug gang is after him, but the 
Nigerian police will not protect him 
against a politically powerful drug 
gang. The events of the story unfold 
like an enthralling adventure. I jot 
down every detail. "So, did you ever 
go back to work?" I ask. 

"I never left my house," says the 
plump woman with teeth outlined in 
gold. "I received death threats because 
of my work with a human rights orga- 
nization." Most of the woman's family 
were killed by the Salvadoran military 
in 1981, when she was a young girl. 
And because she has never forgotten 
her family's fate, and intends to bring 
its murderers to justice, her life is in 
grave danger in El Salvador. 

I meet with my clients several times 
to gain a good grasp of their stories: 1 
want to adequately prepare their asylum 
applications. Many are afraid to open 
up to me at tlrst. When I ask why they 
left their countries, people often state 
simply, "I am seeking freedom," or "I 
left because of the war." They may be 
uncomfortable telling a foreign stranger 
about the mutilation of their familv, a 



rape, or the death threats 
they received. I understand 
the hesitation. After all, why 
should they believe me? 1 
could be associated with the 
sterile prison where they are 
held not for a crime, but for 
lack of certain "papers," for 
looking different, and for 
speaking another language. 
Why should they believe a 
person who may just deport 
them and then report them to their 
home country's repressive government? 
Furthermore, many are torture victims 
who may suppress painful information 
they don't want to remember. They 
don't realize that only five percent of 
unrepresented asylum applicants actual- 
ly win asylum at the immigration court 
in south Texas. They don't know how 
important it is to provide as many 
details as possible, and that the more 
terrible information they can recount, 
the better. 

To hire a lawyer for the asylum 
process may cost somewhere 
between $1,500 and $5,000. Not 
many asylum seekers have that kind of 
money, even if they do have family or a 
friend in the US. There are some 
lawyers who will travel to south Te.xas to 
do "pro-bono" work, but the demand 
for lawyers is far too great to fill the 
need. Unless she is one of the few who 
receive the help of a paralegal from my 
office, an asylum seeker is often left to 
prepare her case by herself. She must 
state her asylum claim at length in 
English on her asylum application, pre- 
pare documents (letters, official docu- 
ments from her home country, and news 
clippings, all must be translated into 
English), and then she must calmly 
answer the questions of the judge at an 
asylum hearing, as well as the questions 
of the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service (INS) trial attorney. The trial 



attorney represents the INS, whose pur- 
pose, according to the director of the 
INS Southern Service Center, is to 
"keep people out of the country." 

Therefore, the trial attorney primarily 
asks questions meant to confuse the per- 
son seeking asylum and to find reason to 
question the person's credibility. Unless 
the person has between $ 1 ,500 to 
S5.000, depending on the amount of her 
bail bond, she will have to do all of this 
work from prison. Mail may not ever 
reach a person in detention. She may be 
refused use of the pay phone, although 
she probably does not have the money to 
call her home country, and her family 
may not even have a telephone. 

For most asylum seekers, these tasks 
are impossible to perform: they have 
been set up to lose from the start. For 
example, Petrisor from Romania and Li 
from China spoke no English or 
Spanish when they arrived in the US. 
There are very few people who speak 
Romanian or Chinese in this remote 
area of south Texas, let alone someone 
who is willing to drive 40 minutes from 
the nearest town to help an as\lum 
seeker understand immigration law and 
prepare for an asylum case. 

A large group of Llaitians was 
detained in south Texas in the fall of 
1 994, and with the help of Haitian advo- 
cacy groups, their deportation proceed- 
ings did not move forward because they 
had no possibility of access to represen- 
tation in Haitian Creole. However, for 
months the INS refused to transfer the 
detainees to the detention center in 
Miami. The Haitians became d-'sillu- 
sioned and restless because they were 
made to rot in prison, with no sense of 
when their proceedings would continue. 
Victoria, a Honduran woman, does not 
even read or write in Spanish. Far fewer 
women than men at the detention center 
know how to read or write. Most men 
and women from Central America ha\e 
little to no education. Their chances oi' 



lamuiiv 1'->1d Messenger 11 



having a fair sliot at winning as\kim arc 
scwrch' limited lor tiicsc reasons. 

The assluni process lasts thicc to Tinc 
months, on a\eragc. It a pci'son loses 
as\lum and decitics to ajipcal to the 
Board ol Inimigi'alion .Appeals, he may 
be detained lor a mueh longer period, a 
year or more, if he is unable to pay his 
bond. Iheix- pivsenlly aie two Chinese 
men who ha\c been detainetl lor over 
two \ears. They both reeenth' attempted 
suicide b\ drinking bleach. The INS 
then put them in "isolation" from the 
otiier (.letainees. isolation is supitosed to 
be used only lor peo|ilc who are e(.)nta- 
giously sick, but it olten is used as pun- 
ishment for people who are disobedient, 
stage a hunger strike, aie homosexual, 
or try to commit suicide. 

I learned a lot about elctcniion Irom 
.\le\is. a man trom West .Alrica. "Could 
\ou jilcdsc bring me a newspaper? 
I heie is nothing to read here but the 
Bible and outdated immigration law 
books. Sometimes we can watch the 
news on T\, but the guards ciiange the 
channel to a mo\ie in Spanish. 1 can't 
understand that." 

The women li\e in sepai'ate bai'racks 
hxim the men. I'heir recieation area is 
much smaller than the men's, sii their 
nu)\ement is moie limiteel in the 
months they spend at the jirison. The 
men play basketball and soccer, but I 
rarely see the women playing sports. 
or see them outside the doiiiiitories at 
all. Whether this is a laclt)r of culture 
or ol the small space they aic gi\en 
and the unique ditliculties ol women 
in detention. I don't know. Un a tour 
through the "lemale " dormitorv. I saw 
women talking quietly in their rooms 
ov watching 'I'V. .As I left the building, 
I noticed a box ol sanitar\ napkins on 
the table near the door. Personal 
hygiene products must be rei(uesicd of 
the guards, many of whom are men. 

I get different rept)rts on the food in 
detention. Esmeralda Irom Honduras 
thinks the food is great. Mokhtar from 
Egypt tliinks it's awful. "You have to 
like beans." The guards tell me that 
the "females feed at II. and the males 
feed at I 1:50." Erom outside the fence 
1 have seen them line up to "feed," an 



To listen carefully to 
the honesty of their 
words, the purity of 
the details, and the 
absurdity of their 
tales is to sense that 
thev are more real, 
e genuinely 
T^n, than most 
^^e I know. 



expression that conjures up images ol 
animals at a zoo. lAer\' now and then. 
the guaixls ha\e shooting practice at 
the detention center. I shudder to 
think oi how that makes an asylum 
seeker Iccl to heai' those shots, espe- 
cially one whose lamily was killeel by a 
military gun. 

Daniel is a man with whom I have a 
particularly dilllcult time documenting 
his asylum claim. He doesn't like to talk 
about how lie was repeatedly raped by 
the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and about 
the abuse he received because of his 
homosexuality. Maybe he isn't suie il I 
would want to help him, knowing that 
he is gay. In Nicaragua, it is widely 
acceptable to persecute homosexuals. 
He also is very shy. "I hope I don't 
smell bad," he stammers, noting his 
orange uniform wet with sweat, "1 was 
playing soccer before they called me in 
to talk with you. I already ha\e used my 
second change o\ clothing for the 
week." Even in the IU5-degree south 
Texas heat, detainees are only ollered 
two changes of clothing a week. 

I he guard walks by our room, "h's 
5:30, ma'am." 

"Okay, we'll be right out," I 
resptind. The guard rolls his eyes 
impatiently. 

"I'll come back Monday . . . Monday 
or Tuesday." I tell Daniel. 

"Let's see . . .today is Eriday. and 
when will you come?" I sense that he 
does not want me to leave. 



"I will come Monday." I say, 

"Will you call me out?" 

"I'll be sure to call you out," 

" Ihe thing is , , . my father is very ill 
in Nicaragua, I just received a letter 
thai he is \ery ill. I must send money 
to him. Do you think that I will be out 
ol here soon so that 1 can work?" 
Daniel works e\ery day at the deten- 
tion center as a cook, but detainees 
who work only earn one dollar a day, 

"It's after 5:50," pesters the guard, 

I don't like to think about the truth 
of Daniel's situation, but he deserves 
111 know. "Well, you may be able to 
leave the detention center in a month 
and a half if you win asylum, but then 
you must wait another six to I 2 
months belore you will receive work 
authorization." This is in spite of the 
fact that the lav\ says that a perst)n 
granted asylum is automatically enti- 
tled to work authorization. 1 have lew 
sciothing words to oiler. 

"I'll see you Monday. Due Ic wiva 
hic'ii." 

I saw only three people that day. 
Those three appeared very foreign to 
me at first. They escaped an environ- 
ment that I can hardly imagine. Each 
person's story is unique. To listen 
carefully to the honesty ol their words, 
the purity of the details, and the absur- 
dit\ of their tales is to sense that they 
are moie leal, more genuinely human, 
than most people 1 know. 

"Ha\e a good weekend." Daniel tells 
me as he shoves open the metal door 
to go back to the barracks. He lets 
some of the chilled air-conditioned air 
escape into the summer heat. "\'ou 
should rest a little," 

Daniel was granted asylum not too 
long ago. In the past year, he is only 
one of three clients of mine wiiom 1 
saw win asyluin. The rest may have 
won asyhmi in another part ol the 
country, but more likely they were 
deported to their country of persecu- 
tion. And many, if they can if 
make it out ali\e, will flee again. 1 

Ainamla C. \ciider i.v u liiviliivii \oluiilcvr 
.SVnvcr worker from Buffalo. .V.V. presciilly >.cnvig 
ill ihc Chiirdi of I he Brclhrcii Wasliingloii Office. 
I'royecio Liberlud nxis her earUer BVS project. 



12 .Messenger lanuarv IQQb 



by Robin 
Wentworth Mayer 



Stepping Stones is a colimvt offering 
snggestions. perspectives, and opin- 
ions — snapslwts of life — that we 
liope are helpful to readers in their 
Christian journey. .As the writer said 
in her first installment. "Remember 
ii'hen it comes to managing life's 
difficulties, we don't need to walk 
on water We just need to leant 
where the stepping stones are. " 



mm 



I'd noticed them earlier 
wheeling their cart through 
the store: angry father, anx- 
ious mother, agitated boys. 
But 1 wasn't lurking in the 
shadows trying to eaves- 
drop; I was just waiting on 
the clerk to get my wallpa- 
per. Still, I heard it all: 

"lason. I told you to keep 
your hands off!" (Funny 
how you can hear clenched 
teeth). 

"You didn't say anything 
to Brian when he picked it 
up, Bob!" 

(THWACK) "You're 
done, lason, you hear me? 
Done!" 

"I know. No TV, no 
allowance, no friends, no 
nothing. I'm done." 

Stepfamily. It was written 
all over them. And yes. I 
know that "blended family" 
is preferred term. But tell 
me. does the above scenario 
sound very "blended" to 
you'.' 

I received a call yesterday 
from the director of a home 
for unwed mothers. A for- 
mer client of mine was 
seeking services and had 
signed a release. Did I 
remember Candy'.' 

I remembered her well. I 
remembered laboring long 
and hard with her parents 
on their marriage. I 
remembered the father, an 
alcoholic who blossomed 
from denial, to faith in 
Christ, to sobriety. 

1 also remembered the 



insecurity and confusion 
of Candy, then age 10. 
Offspring of her mother's 
first marriage, she was 
adopted by this man at age 
three, just after her younger 
sister was born. 

I remembered Dad 
admitting he just didn't feel 
for Candy v/hat he feh for 
his natural daughter. 

I remembered telling him: 
"Candy needs your physical 
affection and verbal affir- 
mation. And if you don't 
give it to her. she eventually 
will find males who will." 

That was nine years ago. 
This is Candy's second 
pregnancy. She has no idea 
who the father is. 

Stepparents who live with 
their children -by- marriage 
are in an incredibly com- 
plex, difficult situation. The 
kids in the home experience 
a fresh wave of grief over 
the loss of their parents' 
marriage with each devel- 
opmental milestone. 

Stepdads whose own chil- 
dren live with the ex-wife 
often have such deep grief 
over that loss that attempts 
to bond with their wife's 
kids creates a sense of 
betrayal towards their own. 

And stepmoms usually 
have a disproportionate bur- 
den of child-rearing respon- 
sibilities with stepkids who 
are frustrated because it's 
Dad they want to be with, 
not his new wife. 

No wonder God hates 



divorce. (See Mai. 2:16.) 

There are all kinds of 
good information available 
on "how to" blend stepfam- 
ilies. Since I can offer noth- 
ing new in the way of solu- 
tions, I want to underscore 
the itrgency. 

Stepparents: Time is not 
on your side. There is not 
time to sort through your 
feelings, "get your head 
together." or peel through 
the layers of grief before 
you act. 

Young lives are hanging 
in the balance. What you do 
(or don't do) in the next 
few years will dramatically 
impact the trajectory of 
those lives. There isn't time 
to wait for the "want to" to 
catch up with the "need 
to." This is one situation in 
which it is imperati\e that 
you make some decisions 
about doing right, then 
trust God to pull your emo- 
tions into harmony with 
those decisions. 

Meanwhile, back at the 
store: I forgot my wallpaper, 
walked up to Bob. gave him 
my card and said: "It 
sounds like there's a lot of 
pain here. I can help if you'll 
let me. Give me a call." 

I'm ashamed to confess 
to vou that that is not what 
I did. 



But I will next time. 



w 



Robin Wentworth Mayer is pas- 
tor of Kokoino ilnd.) Church of the 
Brethren. 



lanuarv 1996 Messenger 13 



Who can withhold th 



by Alice Archer 

Acts 10:47 — "Can iinyoiic withliohl ilic 
u'liiLT for hapti:ii!ii these people who haw 
received the Holy Spirit as uv ha^X'?" 

Martin \'aii Biiren. as gover- 
nor ot New ^brk. wrole 
I'lvsiclenl Andicw |;iekson 
in 182'-) to express alarm 
aliout "a new torni of transportation 
l\no\\n as railroads." I lis eoneern was 
that the railn.Kids would put New York's 
canal transportation system out ol busi- 
ness. I le conekKled his letter this way: 

".•\s you well know. \Ir. Presielent. 
raih\)ad carriages are pulled at the 
enormous s|ieed of 1 5 miles per 
iKiur h\ engines which, in addition 
to endangering Hie and iinib ol pas- 
sengers, roar and snort their way 
through the eoimtryside. setting lire 
to crops, scaring the livestock, and 
frightening women and children. 
The .Mmight) certainly ne\er 
intended that peo|ile should travel 
at such breakneck speed." 

In Acts 10. I'eter starts out every bit 
as apprehensive about change as 
Governor Van l^uren was. Peter was a 
good jew. He had been raised with all 
the cultural assumptions, social cus- 
toms, and biases ol the average lew in 
Palestine. 

lewish ti'adition was lull of rules, laws, 
and common understandings about 
what to do and how to live. There were 
specific laws to govei'n one's behav ior 
on the Sabbatii, rules about what to 
cook and how to cook it. whom to 
socialize with and how . I'eter shows 
every indication of taking all of this seri- 
ously, and no indication of being a cos- 
mopolitan man. Take Peter out of his 
lewish culture and we liave a man who 
just won't know how to function. 

Then Peter has a vision. A great 
sheet descends from heaven containing 
all those creatures considered unclean 
by fewish tradition. God tells Peter to 
get up. kill the unclean animals, and 

14 Messenger lanuarv 1995 



eat them. Imagine that! God himself 
telling I'eter to bi'eak the taboos of his 
culture, and to expand his boimdaries. 

.•\t first I'eter is too bound to all the 
familiar rules and taboos of his culture 
to respcmd. lie argues with God. There 
is I'eter deep in pi'ayer, meditating so 
intenseh' he has gone into a trance. 
God speaks directlv lo liim. And this 

R/' / f^^t irml ih/ii n 



iUl 



JUli 



11'' 



h 



L Lie 
C. 

bu 



man has the nerve to argue with God. 

God is not going to let that one go 
by. He argues back. "Peter, what God 
makes clean, you must not profane." 
Three times God tells Peter to eat the 
verv meats I'eter has known all his life 
are taboo. 

lust then three men arrive from 
Caesarea. Note tliat I'eter did not 
go out to evangeli/e these people. 
They came to him. Rut these are for- 
eigners. Gentiles, uncircumcised men. 
According to Peter's own testimony, 
eating with foreigners — engaging in 
table fellowship with them — is prohib- 
ited. A good lew in Bible times just 
simply would not do this. 

But Peter understands that vision to 
be telling him to go. So he goes. Some 



of the folks back home aren't very 
happv about this. "What's going on, 
Peter'.'" they ask when lie returns. 

Peter then describes his meeting 
with the Cientiles lo the folks back 
home, saying. "As I began to speak, 
the Holy Spirit fell ujion them just as 
it had u|ion us at the beginning" (Acts 
I 1:15). He refers back to their own 
day of Pentecost. Pentecost has also 
come to Gentiles. "If then God gave 
them the same giff that he gave us 
w hen we believed in the Lord lesus 
Christ, who was I that I could hinder 
God'.'" (Acts 11:17). And there was 
silence in the room. 

Change was coming. This is a dra- 
matic turning |ioint for the Christian 
community. Change is frigluening. It 
can catch us off guard. It can paralyze 
us. It can leave us speechless. We even 
lesist it — argue with God about it — 
just as Peter did. 

A church that included Gentiles. 
That took some thinking. They had to 
let that one settle awhile. But when it 
soaked in. when they began to see the 
potential of a church expanding fur- 
ther than they had dared to dream it 
could, tliev' celebrated. "Then God has 
even given to the Gentiles the repen- 
tance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18). 

This was a church that was going to 
change. It was as dramatic a change as it 
is for IKS in the Church o'i the Brethren in 
America lo jiictuie the .Annual Confer- 
ence our own church has in Nigeria. 
The dress, the food, the languages spo- 
ken, the meeting place — all in Nigeria: 
It's hard to picture that and understand 
it as the Church of the Brethren. To pic- 
ture the love feast in Brazil ending with a 
daitee — and to understand that is 
Brethren-style love feast someplace 
today: That's hard too. Perhaps soon we 
will picture a Korean-style meal and 
understand that as Brethren. 

After all. we too are Gentiles who 
may owe our own participation in the 
Church of |esus Christ to this very 
event when Peter set aside the taboos 
of his own culture in order to respond 



3aptizing water? 



to those who came seeking Christ. Be 
assured that a church shaped initially 
by Germans would ha\e been even 
more foreign to the first Christians 
than the Gentiles from Caesarea were. 
Some of those first [ewish Christians 
would ha\e had to think a bit betore 
letting us Brethren in. 

What if Peter had refused to go to 
Caesarea? What if he had said, "'No. 
this is just a message for lews." 

There are always others out there 
hungry for the Christian message. But 
that also will always mean a continual- 
ly changing church. Occasionalls' it 
helps to look backward to reassure 
ourselves that change is alright. 

Some Brethren of today were alive in 
1911 when the Church of the Brethren 
declared that men were to continue to 
"wear their hair and beard in a plain 
and sanitary manner. That the mus- 
tache alone is forbidden. . . ." The 
women were to wear "plainly made gar- 
ments . . . plain bonnets . . . and veil. ..." 
Consider how much change has come 
to the church since 1911. 

Peter first resisted change as we all 
do, as Governor Van Buren did. But 
how foolish our resistance to change 
can look later. .And what a beautiful 
thing it is when we go to the heart of 
the message, and see that the same 
core message can survive across thou- 
sands of years, and in hundreds of dif- 
ferent languages, and is not affected 
by what we eat, or what we wear, or 
what rhythm we listen to. 

Peter's willingness to venture out, to 
experience new things in new places, 
to open himself finally to new possibil- 
ities, new expressions of faith, was just 
the first step in taking the message of 
|esus beyond lewish boundaries. 

Even Peter may have reported with 
some amazement that the Holy Spirit 
was present in those other places too, 
that the Holy Spirit was not bound 
and limited by the customs and culture 
of one group of people. And you and I 
can be grateful that the Holy Spirit is 
not limited by whether we travel by 



canal or by railroad. We know that we 
can even find God while flying 
through the clouds. I wonder what 
Martin Van Buren would say about the 
space age. 

Those early lewish Christians 
required a bit ot silence and reflection 
to absorb the impact of a church that 
included Gentiles. .And then they cele- 
brated a Holy Spirit far more powerful 
and wonderful than they had dared to 
dream. Once you broke that lewish 
boundary, where were you ever going 
to establish a boundary to try to con- 
tain the Hol\ Spirit again? 

There are pivotal points, as Peter 
discovered, at which something 
of the old has to die to make 
room for the new. And there are piv- 
otal points at which a new vision needs 
to arise ii the church is to survive and 
move forward. 

The early church was much like a 
family. Peter had been courted and 
proposed to. God had prepared him to 
say yes. But in saying yes he had to 
give up some of his major assumptions 
about life. He had to become some- 
body a little different if these Gentiles 
were going to become his in-laws. 

Now Peter's family has a problem. 
What are they going to do with these 
strange new in-laws suddenly thrust 
upon them? New in-laws just never 
get it c^uite right. They don't cook the 
same way. They don't understand the 
inside jokes. Maybe the family ne\er 
ate oyster dressing before: all of a sud- 
den there is a new in-law, and from 
now on, at every Thanksgiving and 
Christmas meal, there is going to be 
oyster dressing. 

Some ot the family vvill laugh, some 
will shake their heads, some will e\en 
groan and say, "Oh, not again." But it 
is going to happen, lust as soon as you 
start dealing with new in-laws, life will 
never be the same again. 

When they courted and proposed to 
Peter, did those in-laws-to-be really 
understand what thev were doing? 



Imagine voluntarily choosing to join 
this strange little family with all sorts 
of peculiar traits to get used to. Did 
any of us really understand when we 
married into a family that we were 
going to have to change? 

Those Gentiles were really going to 
have to stretch themselves to become 
part of Peter's family. Peter's family 
was never going to get it c]uite right as 
they understood life either. 

But a marvelous thing happened. 
They finally did become one family. 
And it is a good thing they did. It is a 
good thing that Peter undei'stood the 
need for a much larger \ision. 

The day came when that first church 
in lerusalem was suffering terribly. It 
was then that the Gentile church saved 
that church. Paul talks about that. In 2 
Corinthians 8, Paul tells how the 
churches in Macedonia voluntarily 
gave according to their means, and 
even beyond their means, to further 
the work ot the early church. In 2 
Corinthians 9, the church of Corinth 
takes up a collection to help the moth- 
er church in lerusalem. The in-laws 
had made themselves fully part of the 
family, even saving that strange little 
family they had married into. 

If Peter had not taken the risk of 
venturing beyond the safe, comfortable 
boundaries he felt so secure in, the 
church might have failed. The work of 
lesus might e\'en have ended with that 
first generation. It is not the onl\ time 
the in-laws saved God's people. Ruth. 
in the Old Testament, an in-law. sa\es 
a remnant of the family. .And we ha\e 
lesus' parable of the wedding banquet. 
Many of the expected guests do not 
show up so the master sends the ser- 
vants out into the main streets to invite 
everyone they find to the banquet. .And 
the banquet hall is filled. 

If today's banquet halls are to be 
filled we must be sure our taboos, our 
biases, our traditions are not iJ^ 

keeping the guests away. — 

Alice Archer I'.v paatin- oj Mount I'leiiSiiiil 
Church of the Brethren. Bourbon, hid. 

laiiuaiv Iflflti Messenger 15 



Being a giant isn't 



bv Richard L. Landrum 

You know ihc sior\. ^ou'\c hcaid 
il siiKc cliildhootl. I);i\id aiul 
Ciolialh. Kids low it because kids 
arc litUc and somclinios arc \icliins o\' 
big bullies. I.iltle l)a\id. a sheplieicl 
boy. taces C'loliath. Goliatli is ihe 
champion of the immense and well 
cquiiipcd aiiiiv ol the Philisiincs. 
lined up against Israel's ragtag troops. 
King Saul's small force against the 
Philistines dticsn't stand a chance. 

But L)a\id steps into the picture witli 
only a sling and llw smooth stones. It 
amuses Cl(.)lialh tliat such a pim\ iwerp 
would stand up to him with a sling 
shot. Goliath is a huge hunk — "six 
cubits ami a span" — solid muscle rip- 
pling over bone, covered with armor, 
and bristling with sword, javelin, and 
shield. "Am I a dog." he taunts David, 
"that you should come to me with 
stick?" Whirrrrrr . . . smack in the fore- 
head. Down goes the giant. .And il only 
took one stone and one little shephei-d 
boy (See 1 Sam. 17:1-51). 

And so everybody cheers when a giant 
bites the dust. So what's the point? 
Wliat does I'aith make ol felling bullies? 

I have ne\er written about Goliath 
before, maybe because the subject is 
too big to tackle. iUit that didn't 
bother David. He wasn't intimidated 
by giants. 'I'he big braggart Goliath 
offered to surrender the Philistine army 
if any man of Israel could defeat him 
one on one. David heard the offer and 
made himself available, but King Saul 
feared for David's life. David replied, 
"The Lord, who has saved me from the 
paw of the lion and from the paw of 
the bear, will save me from the hanil of 
the Philistine." Shepherds know how to 
even the odds, having defended sheep 
Irom predators. "Go," said the king, 
"and may the Lord be with you." 

The point of the story is that David 
is not alone. God is with him. God is 
with Israel. So they cannot be defeated 

16 .MesM-iigcr laiiuarv IQQb 



bv the forces that militate against the 
promise of God — neither the mighty 
army of the opjiressor nov the threats 
ol mur(.leious bullies. So God's people 
will not be defeated by corporate mon- 
sters that devour the soul of employees 
and manipulate the market li'om 
greed, nor by unresponsive bureaucra- 
cies of modern government that ignore 
the little people, nor by pervasive 
demons of prejudice and bigcUry. nor 
by cancerous monsters eating the llcsh 
ol coui'agcous souls in the hospital, 
who will not give up on God in this 
life or the next. God's little people just 
don't give up. They will not be intimi- 
dated by any evil. Ihey are giant- 
killers, because the Lord is with them. 

The Lord is with the powerless and 
the poor, the little Davids who must 
contend with powers much larger than 
they. This theme runs throughout the 
Scriptures, jesus' mother echoed the 
message of her son's life and death, 
even before he was born. "All genera- 
tions shall call me blessed." Mary 
rejoiced. Why? Because God 

"has scattered the proud 
in the thoughts of their hearts. 

He has breiught down the powerful 
Irom their thrones and 
lifted up the lowly; 

I le has filled the hungry with 
good things, and sent the rich 
away empty" (Luke 1:47-55). 

.As a man. jesus jireached Isaiah's 
prophecy of good news to the jioor and 
release to the captives, esteeming high- 
ly for the kingdom "even the least of 
these. " the most despised. The way we 
treat them is the way we treat lesus. 

Liberation theology calls this biblical 
theme "God's preferential ojition for 
the poor." It is a magnificent theme 
for the dispossessed, the powerless, 
the poor, all the little ones who are 
crushed by the giants of this world. 
But it's awfully hard on giants. One 
smooth stone to the head with the help 
of the Lortl. and then David drew 



Goliath's swoid Imm the Giant's own 
sheath and slew him. severing iiis head 
fiom his body. .And all the troops o( 
Isiael cheeied lor little David. 

isn't that just like us? Most of us have 
a soft spot lor the little guy, the under- 
dog, the one whom all the odds are 
against. And we don't like bullies at all: 
we would rather cut them down to size. 
So some vei'v fine kilks can become the 
target ol our rage toward bullies, even if 
they themselves are not bullies. They 
just hap|ien to be undefeated. 

J-A'crybody loves a winner, but every- 
body loves to defeat a winner, too. The 
Superbowl champs, the World Series 
victors, the NBA winners. We may have 
cheered them on, but next season every 
team is after them. They have to be 
better than their best for every game 
because even a mediocre team can be a 
spoiler. We like to defeat giants, espe- 
cially when those who are not sup- 
posed to win do win. It's an American 
preferential option for the underdog. 

My son. Rick, is six feet four inches 
tall and weighs 240 pounds. The coach 
wanted him for tight end on the football 
team at La Verne, but he refused. His 
llrst love was basketball. He was too 
short to play the post position in col- 
lege. So he was a power forward. But 
in high school he was the biggest guy 
on the team and played post. Rick's 
team was at the bottom when it played 
Mount Union, which was in first place. 
Mount Union's post was six feet nine 
inches tall and the highest scorer in the 
state. He was unstoppable. On that 
fateful night, as the giant center was 
about to smash another shot through 
the hoop. Rick brought all of his six feet 
lour inches above the six-foot-nine-inch 
center and blocked the shot, crushing 
the giant center all the way to the floor. 
And all of Huntingdon's bench came to 
their feet with the visiting fans who 
traveled to Mount Union that fateful 
night, and just went wild. Rick's team- 
mates piled on him with hugs and back 




Ullll 



slaps. Huntingdon went home defeated 
again that night by the best team, but 
they left that gym feeling like winners. 
The referee called a foul on Rick, but 
that didn't matter. They said it couldn't 
be done, but Rick did it. He blocked 
the giant of high school basketball. 

We like to bring down giants. It's part 
of the game. 'We especially like it if we 
are the new winner. But then it gets dif- 
ficult because we have taken the win- 
ner's spot. 'We have to fill new shoes 
and walk in them. So who walks just 
behind us wanting our job, our TV rat- 
ings, our team standing, our political 
position in the ne.xt election, our popu- 
larity, our corner on the market'.^ Or 
who, way down at the bottom with no 
chance for the top, would like to bring 
us down, just for the sheer joy, spoiling 
it tor the most successful people, who 
may not be bad people at all? And even 
it they are bad people, is there no mercy 
for people at the top? It's tough at the 
top! Being a giant isn't easy. 

So is there any good news for giants in 
this giant-killing world? Is there any room 
for giants in our Goliath-killing faith? 
Because if the next one to get to the 
top is there only as long as he can fight 
off everybody below, then is there no 



good news for giants or anybody else? 

The good news for giants is that 
God loves Goliath, too. God didn't 
bless David for David's sake, but also 
for the the sake of Goliath. God didn't 
bless Israel for Israel's sake alone, but 
also for the sake of Philistines. God's 
blessing the poor and powerless is not 
simply to put them in position to 
become the next oppressor. God 
wants shalom, the peace that makes 
the playing field level. So everyone has 
a place to play, work, rest and live. So 
the powerful are brought down, and 
the powerless are brought up, and 
there are no giants to kill anymore nor 
any little ones to protect from bullies. 

So competition cannot be the only 
value on the playing field of 
shalom. Cooperation and compas- 
sion must be part oi' the playing field of 
shalom. And there is no place on that 
playing field for greed, vengeance, and 
power lust. "We all know that the world 
needs to change, but it's not a level 
playing field out there. So it's even 
tougher to play the game God's way in 
the real world. It takes a real giant to 
live as lesus taught us. lesus is the 
image of true humanity. 

My heart goes out especially to men in 
our culture. We've been taught to be 
giant-killers who must go on to be 
giants. Real men do not cry. Real men 
are tough. Real men must bear the heavy 
load. Don't ask for help. Don't show 
weakness. And so little boys are taught 
to bear it alone. Be tough, invulnerable. 
And it's not human. It's dehumanizing. 
It's too heavy. Being a giant isn't easy. 

Real men can share the load with 
other men. Real men can welcome the 
strength of women as equal partners in 
life. Real men can be tender as well as 
tough. Real men can laugh and cry. 
Real men can be vulnerable, caring 
deeply and showing it. Real men are 
like lesus. And little boys will see in us 
the fatherhood of God, No longer will 



they see Goliath and want to be a lonely 
giant at the top fighting off all comers. 

But it takes a transformation of spir- 
it. Being a giant isn't easy. Compassion 
for giants means slaying the macho 
giant anyway, even if it's hard on the 
giant. Slay the giant with the good 
news of lesus Christ and his tender but 
tough compassion. Slay the Goliath in 
us so that he dies with Christ and is 
raised to new life, lesus died for every- 
body, even lonely, pressured, busy, 
stressed-out males who are finding no 
life at the top. Give your life to lesus. 
By the power of God with us. that 
Goliath in us can fall and be raised a 
new man. And women will love him 
and desire him even more, and the 
children just won't be able to get 
enough of him. And he will know won- 
derful friends. God will hug him and 
walk with him. And the playing field 
will begin to get more level, more fun. 
a lot fairer: "Every valley shall be lifted 
up. and every mountain and hill be 
made low; the uneven ground shall 
become level, and the rough places a 
plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall 
be revealed, and all people shall see it 
together" (Isa. 40:4-5). 

Composer Johanne Sebastian Bach, 
initialed his works S.D.G. The letters 
stand for the Latin, "Soli Deo Gloria": 
"To God be the glory." A real giant is 
not a lonely, preoccupied, self-cen- 
tered hero who has to do it all and 
bear it all at the top. A real giant does 
wondrous things, as a composer like 
Bach, or an athlete, or just like an 
ordinary person with some burdens, 
joys, and gifis to share with others. 
And the glory is not for self to impress 
others. The gigantic glory belongs to 
God. Give God the glory, and God 
will always be at our side, win or lose, 
in life or in death, for the sake of the 
gospel of lesus Christ, good jin 

news of love for everyone. J 

KiclhirJ i luiiulnitii is pastor oj Wcihuclicc 
(Wiisli I Bivihroi-Hupiist Chiiivli i'liilcil 



liiiUKiiy I '■TOb Messenger 17 







mm. 



"^^f^*-?^-^^ 'ft^tny.,^ 



f! iMiiiiiiiii 




ospel 



God reveals himself 

in many places. 

but salvation is found 

in one name only. 



By Carl E. Braaten 

The lialiui iciiiple in VVilmette, 
111., expresses the belief that 
all religions point to the 
same ultimate reality. The 
lemjile has nine magnifieent portieoes, 
eaeh dedicated to the prophet of one 
of the world's major religions. Like 
spokes on a wheel, the portieoes lead 
to a single central altar via nine radial 
aisles. 

The altai' symbolizes the one God at 
the center of the many religions. It 
doesn't matter which portico you enter 
or which aisle you walk down. All lead 
to the same place. 

The Bahai temple is an architectural 
expression of a widespread belief: 
Although the religions seem different. 
I hey are ec|ually valid ways to the same 
tiulh and salvation. This is no longer 
simply a tenet of the Bahai or some 
other sect. It is comfortably at home in 
American culture, given our democrat- 
ic sense that all are equal. 

This "pluralistic theory of religions" 
is even making alarming headway 
within Christian circles, on mission 
boards, in seminaries, and from 
church pulpits. 

Religious pluralism is both a fact 
and a theory. Christianity is, of course, 



18 Messenger January IQ^b 



one among many religions. It was 
born in a dizzying whirlpool of reli- 
gions — lewish. Greek. Roman, and 
Oriental. From the very beginning. 
Christians struggled to proclaim the 
revealed truth of God to all in a mis- 
sionary encounter with other religions 
and philosophies. 

At first the Christian faith was 
attacked by the jews as a heresy. The 
Romans persecuted it as a seditious 
movement. Greek philosophers 
ridiculed it as a contemptible myth. 
And popular cults and mystery reli- 
gions gave it a run for its money. 
Christians meeting a world of religious 
pluralism is nothing new. 

What is new is that some Christians 
are adopting a theory or theology of 
religious pluralism that considers all 
religions equally true and saving. 

Diana Eck. for example, teaches 
world religions at Harvard University. 
Cambridge. Mass. She writes beauti- 
fully about her spiritual journey from 
"Bozeman to Banaras." She tells how 
she acquired a strong faith in God 
from her Methodist upbringing in 
Montana. This beginning also gave her 
a sense of what the church is and a 
commitment to its work in the world. 

Years later, however. Eck found 
herself in India, at a Vaishna\ite tem- 
ple. While praying with her Hindu 
friends she "beheld the beauty of the 
Lord" in the peaceful face of a statue 
of Vishnu. "Was our God the same 
God?" she asks. "Frankly the question 
did not occur to me. I simply took it 
for granted." 



I? 



No other gospels 

Same God? Same gospel? Tell it to 
Paul. He warned the Corinthians about 
those preaching a different lesus. And 
he scolded the Galatians for turning to 
a different gospel. Tell it to Peter who 
said to the scribes and elders in 
Jerusalem: "This jesus is 'the stone that 
was rejected. ... it has become the cor- 



Christ alone? 

Three models Christians have used to understand other faiths 



Exclusivist 



'X.:^ 



Other religions are Invalid human attempts to find God. 
Christ offers the only path to salvation. 

Criticism: Some say this view denies that God truly seeks the salvation 
of all. It has fostered intolerance and oppression of non-Christians. 



Pluralist 



All major religions offer equally valid altemative-psHtHs-to-.the one God. 
Christ is only my way to God. ~^I!>-">.^''-r>-, 

Criticism: This view denies clear, biblical statements about the 
uniqueness of Jesus. i; '■. -; 



Inclusivist 



God is present and revealing himself in saving ways in many places, 
including In non-Christian religions. Christ is the definitive, authoritative 
revelation of God that judges the adequacy of other revelations. 

Criticism: Some say this view falls to take other revelations of God 
seriously on their own merits. ■ .; --;.-• jfiij 



nerstone.' There is salvation in no one 
else, for there is no other name under 
heaven given among mortals by which 
we must be saved" (Acts 4:1 1-12). 

There are many similar passages in 
scripture that proclaim "No other 
God!" and "No other gospel!" than the 
one whose saving revelation is centered 
in [esus Christ. There is no getting 
around the gospel's exclusive claim. 

But what do the pluralists do with 
it? They explain it away as an example 
of the parochial attitudes of ancient 
times, or they simply reject it as a 
belief incompatible with enlightened 
modern thinking. 

The first Christians knew their faith 
embraced the final truth of God for 
the salvation of the world in lesus 
Christ, not merely one truth among 
many. The New Testament and the 
Christian creeds present lesus not as a 
son of God, but as the only Son of 
God, not as a savior, but as the Savior, 
not as a lord, but as the Lord. These 
exclusive titles for lesus are part of the 
kernel of the gospel, not so much husk 
that can be thrown away. 



The "one and only" statements about 
Jesus in the New Testament were — and 
are — countercultural, not merely a 
product of a primitive religious out- 
look. Early Christians placed their lives 
on the line to confess that lesus is Lord 
and Savior in a unique sense. 

Christian martyrs were not merely 
campaigning to have the blessed name 
of Jesus, the name above all names, 
included in a pantheon ot the worlds 
divinities. 

Elephant theology 

There is no basis in scripture and the 
Christian faith for the pluralistic the- 
ology of religions. Its origin is found 
in non-Christian philosophies and 
religions. 

About 100 years ago, a young Hindu 
reformer. Swami Vivekananda, came to 
the West proclaiming that for 2.500 
years India had accepted a philosophy 
of religious pluralism. Hindu pluralism 
is illustrated by the famous fable of the 
elephant and the blind men. 

Six blind philosophers inquire into 
the nature of the elephant. One falls 

|aiuuir\ lQ9b Messenger 19 



^xjx Judaism 

Christians and Jews share the same 
history of faith that began with Abraham 
and Sarah. Jesus was a rabbi (teacher) 
but not the Messiah (Christ), and God's 
kingdom has not dawned with him. 
Some Jews await another. 

SALVATION: Restoration of Israel as a 
holy nation into which the nations, puri 
fied. will be incorporated. Belief in a 
personal afterlife and divine judgment 
based on merit developed in the 2nd 
century B.C^^ 

H'mduistn 

Savior. 

S;,LVATlON: Release ;o";; ^^^^^^^.a 

S^^;^o:r;^^-r^^-'on 

;°e1;is.o:thaH.e sensor world 
,s truly reality- 



IF<^IIQr?> Islam 

XjUm^Xj^ t X^ ,.sus IS one of a long l.ne 



V^ Jesus IS one of a long Une 
of messengers of Allah that includes 

^°--'^"^ro^Godth?dtdn•td,e 
L^;T,rcTorbu1Sas,taUenup,nto 
heaven. For Muslims God- not ^^^ 
triune, so Jesus can t be tne 
. . . ^.person of the holy trinity. 

Christianityl ^SBE^Bt 

punishment pronounced on 
sm".ersatthelast,udgment. 



& OTHER 
flELlGIONS 



t 

■ Jesus is the Christ, the 

Savior and Lord of the world 
He is the ultimate, authoritative 
revelation of God who continues 
to seek all in suffering love. In him 
God's final kingdom has dawned 
in the world. 

SALVATION: Forgiveness of sins 
and eternal life through Jesus' 
death and resurrection. 



Buddhisrm 



Like Jesus, Gautama, the 
Buddha, the enlightened One, was a 
wandering preacher with a message 
of salvation. He called people to 
change their hearts, abandoning 
selfish desire. For the Buddha this 
led to tranquillity, for Christ to suffer- 
ing love. 

SALVATION: Shares with Hindu 
ism the belief in the cycle of 
reincarnation. The soul achieves 
nirvana— escape from the endless 
cycle— and tranquility through an 
eightfold path of right action and 
meditation which extinguishes desire. 



;igaiiist its side and ihinlxs the elephant 
is like a wall. .A seci.)nd leels the tusk 
and thinks the elephant is like a spear. 
Rir the others, the trunk is like a snake, 
the leg is like a tree, the ear is like a fan 
and the swinging tail is like a rope. The 
philosuphers eaeh think that their dis- 
tineti\e experienee represents the truth. 

IJkewise. the fable suggests, each of 
the great world religions thinks its 
exiXTJenee with the nivstery oi ulti- 
mate reality is the truth. 

But sujierior wistioni, the logic con- 
tinues, teaches the "real" truth: l.tuii 
of the ivlifiioiis teaches inith. one-sided 
lis ii Is. Their only mistake is believing 
that its ]iartial perspectixe is the whole 
truth, that its relati\'e grasp of reality is 
absolute. 

Like the storyteller of the elephant 
fable, the pluralist knows that all reli- 
gions are groping to he in touch with 
"ultimate reality," and that they use a 
limited metaphor to describe it. 

Christians use |esus to seek truth. 
Muslims use Mohammed and 



Buddhists use Gautama, and so forth. 
That's all right, pluralists argue, so 
long as they don't blindh' claim their 
particular e\|"ierience represents uni- 
versal truth. 
A correlation exists between the rise 



nri. 



.;.. /"^/. 



were c 



truth 



....s coming 



'rsoii () 



ot this pluralistic teaching and the col- 
lapse of world evangelization. 

Why evangelize if all peoples arc 
ccjually blessed by the same God who 
is working to save them through the 
great sarietv of religious rituals and 



ex]X'rienees'.' The best we can expect 
ot a church acting on a pluralist vision 
is a mission of dialog to discuss ideas. 

Evangelization is the hard and risky 
work of missionaries who |ireach the 
gospel and plant new churches. Too 
often, interreligious dialog becomes a 
fashionable substitute, carried on 
politely by academicians at room tem- 
perature. 

Of course, we need dialog among 
people ol different religions. Religious e, and his language 

24 Messenger lanuury 199b 



becomes more inclusise ("brothers aiul 
sisters tif other churches and ecclesial 
eommunilies"). sshen earls in the letter 
it is noticeably e.xclusise ("se|"iarated 
brethren"). Thirts' sears alter the pro- 
gressise declarations ol Vatican II. the 
Catholic Church has neser been more 
open to dialog and action svith otiiei' 
Christian cluu-ches. 



c 



:7' 



I, 


IISIIL 




mil 


iici'cr r 





to f'ofue. /^ 

jrnm fhn //,^^ 

LliLii ii'ui'k. ."'" 

towan^ >.' 
Lrinsluuis 



v 



lohn Paul — one of the most intelli- 
gent and globally intluential popes in 
the history of the pontificate — certainls 
has the right attitude: "It is necessary 
to pass Irom antagonism and confiict 
to a situation sshere each parts recog- 
nizes the other as a partner. . . . each 
sii.le must presuppose in the other a 
desire lor reconciliation." 

Ihc pope loses the kicus. hosseser. on 
sshal Christian units should be and sshat 
it ciiii only be. given the legitimate 
deselopment of other Christian faith tra- 
ditions. He uses words such as "restora- 
tit)n. " "re-establishmeiil," and "return." 
In the encyclical, there is a strong sense 
that Catholicism remains the shepherd, 
and I'rotestants still are the lost sheep. 

i conclude that the kind of "unity " 
the pope calls for is not a /progression 
toward understanding, but a regression 
to a church as the ssorld knew it prior 



to the Protestant Reformation in 1517 
and schism w ith the liastern Churches 
in 1054. He shows little regard for the 
noss' dee|i-rooted beliefs thai these tsvo 
ecclesial communities possess. ,\s one 
ecinnenical leader and scholar said to 
me. "lull and sisible communion 
seems to depend, according to the 
encsclical. on acceptance ol basic 
Catholic understandings ol the papacy 
and the eucharist." 

The |iope states that there is "a 
movement . . . for the restoration of 
unity among all Christians . . . svhich is 
called ecumenical." I am not sure that 
the ecumenical mosement promotes 
Christian unity, at least not the kind of 
unity defined by the pope, as much as 
it is losters Christian understanding, 
dialog, and tolerance among denomi- 
nations, and among Christians and 
believers ot other religions. 

The pope fears compromise, which 
is "in contradiction with God who is 
Truth." Hcumenists do not reciuire 
anyone to comi"iromise or concede any 
of their beliefs. Ecumenism is not a 
lorce lor proselytization and homoge- 
nizatioii. but a force propelling |ieople 
toward better communication and 
cooperation in an ethnicalls and reli- 
giously pluralistic ssorld. 

I fear that striving to attain Christian 
unity is overshadowing the primary 
Christian call to live Christ-centered 
lives — to do justice, lose kindness, and 
ssalk humbls ssith Ciod. To me. real 
units means losing one another, oi' at 
the very least, not killing one another. 
I'he end-ali of Christian unity is not 
the literal sharing together of commu- 
nion in the same ritualistic format — 
sshether that ritual is eucharist or 
lose least. In a perfect ssorld. the 
entire Church (Catholic, Protestant. 
Orthodox) ssould feel free to share 
communion, as Christ instituted it at 
the Last Supper, and embody Christ's 
prayer that "they may be one." 

But what's really stopping us? Pride? 
Arrogance? Why can't sve "just do it"? 

The Church, all churches, while 



divinely ordained by lesus Christ, is a 
human institution, chocl\-full of human 
jealousy, egotism, snobbery, and sup- 
posed locks on the truth. Also, the 
Church cannot go back in time: The 
rifts and schisms that past events creat- 
ed can he forgiven, but they cannot be 
undone either. Nor would we necessar- 
ily want those events erased — for 
through the pain, a diverse and cultur- 
ally ornate church was forged, the 
gospel was preached farther and wider, 
and people with different opinions and 
different ways of worshiping arc joined 
in dialog and less prone to wars of reli- 
gious freedom and reformation. 
So. it not unity-in-contormity. 
what? A notion that has emerged in 
ecumenical dialogs is "unity-in-diversi- 
ty." This approach, to me. seems 
much more fruitful and honest. 



because it starts with an acknowledg- 
ment that diversity exists. Given this 
diversity in the ways Christians wor- 
ship Christ and operate their churches, 
we should pinpoint our commonali- 
ties — belief in |esus Christ, a trinitari- 
an perspective of God, shared soteriol- 
ogy, concern for social justice, care for 
the poor and oppressed. This way. the 
whole of Christ's Church is unified in 
mission and spirit, while individual 
churches retain their cherished and 
defining ideas about the sacraments, 
clergy, liturgy, ecclesiology. 

My sister put it succinctly: "I cannot 
not be Brethren." While there is much 
that attracts me to Catholicism. I 
could never convert. The kind of con- 
version that is called for is a conver- 
sion of the heart. 

In his book Bretliivii Siicicty (see 



pages 561-368), Carl Bowman 
explores the notion of unity-in-diversity 
in regard to dramatic changes that 
have occurred within the Church of the 
Brethren. In a landmark statement that 
the church-at-large could learn much 
from. Brethren declared that "diversity 
is God's pattern in creation . . . confor- 
mity is humanity's pattern ... it is the 
love experienced when Christ is at the 
center of one's life, that draws us into 
unity" (1979 Annual Conference). 
Some Christians wash feet and take 
communion twice a year, others pray 
the rosary and take communion week- 
ly. All Christians need to be living 
Christ-centered lives, and it is through 
this way of life that we are united. 

There will always be stubborn 
Catholics and bitter Protestants. After 
all. we have recorded a rather intense 



"To understand more clearly, what questions 

can I ask?" 

Asking questions is typical of Robert Johansen '62. Finding 
answers nourishes his soul. His Brethren roots and Illinois 
farm background nurture his examination of global issues 
which affect universal human dignity, economic well-being, 
ecological balance, and world peace. Traveler, author, 
professor, and Senior Fellow, Dr. Johansen serves as director of 
graduate peace studies at the University of Notre Dame. 
Morally sensitive with a strong nurturing awareness. Dr. 
Johansen challenges others to think and act in ways that will 
better serve our world. 

Students know Manchester College for the questions we pose. 
And for the help we give them in finding answers. 




Manchester College 



Call (219)982-5000 to receive more information on Manchester programs or stewardship opportunities, to refer 
prospective students, or let us know if you are planning a special visit. 



l;imuii\ Ul'lb .MesSL'nai.'r 25 



Friiiii ill' (iciicriil ^('I'lTtiirv 

The church at work in Russia 

As I write. 1 can look out one window and see tlie Russian Wiiite House in 
Moscow and out another window and see tlie Kremlin. My wife and I are on 
a pri\'ate Christmas \isit to see our daughter, son-in-lau. and two grandcliil- 
dren, who ii\e here in the Russian capital. 

W hile in Russia, we \isited one ot the agricultural projects to w hich the 
Church of the Brethren is giving some support (March 1994. page 13). 
With the new economy in Russia, there is a great need for agricultural aid. 
'I'he traditional leaders of agriculture in Russia were the monasteries, which 
often were models of new agricultural methods. This all changed when the 
monasteries were closed under communist rule. 

Fi\e sites ha\e been chosen to help re-establish agriculture in their regions 
of the country. This program is being done cooperatively among the Russian 
Orthodox Church, The Union of Evangelical Christian- Baptists in Russia, 
and the Church World Service and Witness Unit of the National Council of 
Churches in the US. 

I \isited Anosino. some 25 miles west of Moscow. It is a monastery that 
was returned to the Orthodox Church four years ago. For the previous 70 
years, the monastery was allow'ed to run down and occasionally was used as 
a mo\'ie theater. The director of the effort to re-establish the monastery is 
Father Spiridon. whose winsome, energetic spirit is contagious. 

The monastery now has a community of 25 nuns caring for gardens, 
planting crops, and tending the animals under Father Spiridon's direction. 
They ha\e six cow s. and hope to expand to a herd of perhaps 60. They also 
have goats, sheep, chickens, and horses. Father Spiridon proudly showed us 
the agricultural equipment that Brethren staff member Lamar Gibbie had 
assisted them in procuring. They showed us the tons of potatoes produced 
last summer, the new farm pond, and the buildings now being erected. They 
hope eventually to have an orphanage and a retirement residence. 

Much remains to be done before the monastery is fully operative, but they 
have a very good beginning. They are enormously thankful for the assistance 
of American churches, including the Church of the Brethren. 

While we were not able to visit the other four projects, we were told their 
development is equally encouraging. They are scattered across the former 
Soviet Union from Smolensk to Novosebirsk in Siberia. 

An Orthodox leader pointed out to me that agriculture is a part of the 
total outreach of the monasteries and parishes w^here these projects are 
located. They are part of the church's evangelistic program to bring people 
to the church and to a life of discipleship to lesus Christ. "Tell your people 
that their support of these projects is helping win people back to faith in 
Christ." 

1 am impressed with the effect here of our modest assistance, — Donald 
E. MiLLi;R 

Donald E. Miller is fieiwral sccreiary of lite Church of the Brethren. 



and often gory past. The \ery name of 
our faith tradition — "Anabaptist" or 
re-baptizers or beiie\er"s baptism — 
intentionall\' flies in the face of 
Catholicism — a constant reminder of a 
deeper, more divisive history. In the 
1 6th century, many Anabaptists were. 



ironically, drowned for ojiposing the 
Catholic Church. Books such as 
Martyr's Mirror are inundated with 
these horror stories, times that are for- 
givable but \ery difficult to forget. 

Catholics, because of their strong 
social presence, tend to be an easy tar- 



get, but the\ do not deserve all the 
heat. Many Protestants and Brethren 
today — with the lingering effects of a 
Cold War mentality — still consider 
themselves champions of Christianity 
in its rightful, democratic manifesta- 
tion and believe that Catholics remain 
blind followers of a totalitarian regime 
directed by the Antichrist himself. We 
are just as much to blame as Catholics 
for the faltering steps toward realizing 
a peaceable kingdom. This essay, 
albeit critical of the pope's encyclical, 
is not intended to be an exercise in 
preaching to the converted. It is only 
easier for me to see the "speck" in 
others" eyes, and to challenge myself 
to remove the "log" from my own eye. 

In the end. the real obstacle to unity, 
or unity-in-diversity. is ignorance. We 
simply do not know enough about 
each other, and what we don't know 
scares us, .As I sat and watched the 
splendor of the outdoor Mass in 
Baltimore. 1 thought of the differences 
that separate Brethren and Catholics. 
Catholics are organizationally hierar- 
chical. Brethren are theoreticallv 
democratic. Brethren worship is simple 
and could be called "low" church. 
Catholic worship is flamboyant or 
"high" church. Catholics are extremely 
sacramental and extroverted. Brethren 
are more devotional and introverted. 
Brethren are noncreedal. Catholics 
have several creeds. Catholics practice 
infant baptism (by infusion). Brethren 
baptize adult believers (by immersion). 
On the issue of war. most Brethren 
still promote pacifism, while Catholics 
have developed a "just war" theory. 

Catholics will never embrace paci- 
fism, and Brethren will never pledge 
loyalty to Rome. .And that's okay. Let's 
get over it! Christians evervwhere — 
Protestant and Catholic alike — need to 
embody the tolerance that Maryland's 
early settlers endeavored to establish. 
Thank God for the diversity found in 
creation and people, and let's move on 
toward Christian harmony, not 
homoaeneitv. 



1/^ 



Gregg A. Wilhelitt. a ineinber oj Woodberry 
Church of the Brethren. Baltiniure. .\ld.. ii dircc- 
uir of Cathedral Foundation Press and a gradu- 
ate of St. Mary's Seminary Ecumenical Institute, 
both itt Baltimore. 



26 Messenger lanuarv l>-)>3b 



Li'tlm 



Will we pay our BVSers? 

I was surprised to read in the news 
article "BVSers to Earn Educational 
Grants From the Government" 
(November, page 10), that Brethren 
Volunteer Service has been seduced by 
federal government grants. 

Since workers now will be paid. \\\\\ 
the word Volunteer be removed from 
the name? Is this just another case in 
which the church will sell its principle 
if the price is right? 

Well, so much for efforts to separate 
church and state. 

lolin C. Gniyheal 

fhllupiU'cld. ,\/i/. 



Let's repeat the question 

Responding to the November editorial 
("Could .Anything Good Come out of 
Wardo?'"): Phil Stone came out of 
Wardo. 

Ralph MacPhail 
Bridgewcitei: \li. 

(Phil Stoiic. d former General Board 
chairiJian and Annual Confereuee 
moderator, is president of Bridgewater 
College. — Ed.) 



Making humbleness handier 

il want to add something to the article 
l"Adapting Faith Rituals" (October, 
'page 14). A Shenandoah District com- 
mittee studying the love feast found 
ithat men talk about the significance of 
jgetting on their knees to wash anoth- 
er's feet. Woman talk about how its 



The upiiiioiii cxptvsseJ in l.cticrs are itoi necessarily 
hose of the magazine. Readers should receive 
\ hem in the same spirit with which differing opin- 
ions are expressed in face-to-face conversations. 
Letters should be brief concise, and respectful of 
he opinions of others. Preference is given to letters 
hat respond directly to hems read in the magazine. 
We are willing to withhold the name of a writer 
mly when, in uur editorial judgment, it is war- 
anted. We will not consider a^^y letter that comes 
us unsigned. Wliether or not we priitt the letter, 
he writer's itaine is kept in strictest conjldence 
.Address letters to Messenger editor I4tI 
lluitdee .-Xve.. Elgin. IL 60120. 



feels to have someone wash their feet. 

Feetwashing expresses two aspects 
of service: willingness to do humble 
service and willingness to accept the 
service of others. 

Washing hands as an alternative for 
the disabled (which the article sug- 
gests) does not seem to be the most 
meaningful adaptation. So here is my 
suggestion: Let people who are not 



able to get down and wash feet still 
have their feet washed. That would 
provide everyone the experience of 
receiving service. Then, to provide the 
experience ol giving humble service, let 
those who are unable to kneel and 
wash feet read scripture, pray, bring 
food lor the meal, or perform some 
other ser\ice v\ithin their ability. 
Personallv I would not find it mean- 



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laiUKuv IQOb Messenger 27 



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5CI"PTOft.t, HOWE\/rS, 1 V* wc 

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iNTedPRETtD LiTeR»lJ.W. 




f4ow r ascr>se: 

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TWOSE \/E(l5eS TMAT 

Aa-Ret WITH lAv PRt- 




** Because Mutual Aid 
tithes, tells me that MAA 
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Kay Weaver 

Regional Representative 

Strasburg PA 



Are you paying too much for your homeowner's 
insurance and not getting the service you deserve? 

Call 
1-800-255-1243 

for a quote 

or write us at: 

Mutual Aid Association 

Church of the Brethren 

3094 Jeep Rd 

Abilene KS 67410 

Insurance protection exclusively for Brethren 

churches, homes, farms & renters li(\ 

Fax:1-800-238-7535 / 11 



iiiulul to li;i\c nn liands washed by 
soiiiconc. On the otlier hand, having 
someone kneel and wash ni\' teet. liug 
ine. and alkiu me to wish lier God's 
hlessiiiii lings true. 

And ahiuingh it would be ditlicult 
lor me (il I were disabled) to aecejit 
the serviee ol leelwashing (know ing 1 
eouid not return it), perhaps that is the 
\ei\ huniilit\ tiiat leetwashing needs to 
leach me. 

Lilhlil l.oodll 

Briil"cwalcr. \ii. 



What the brochure really says 

In tile \o\ember article "Singing to the 
Lord New Songs." mention is made 
(page 18) ot a brochure 1 prepared that 
cross-references Hyiniuil and Hymnal: 
Accoiiipuninicnt ihindbook. One sen- 
tence reads "The brochure also lists 
other sources, such as the 1'551 
Brethren hymnal and publications from 
other denominations. . . ." 

The brochure does not list information 
from the K151 hymnal or other sources. 
'I'hat sentence would be more accurate if 
it were stated this way: "The brochure 
shows whether keyboard accompani- 
ments are or are not included, whether 
accompaniments are different, whether 
key signatures are different, whether 
tunes are different, whether words are 
dilleivnt. whether special information is 
gi\en. and whether choral arrangements 
are available." 

My brochure is available from Nancy 
Faus at Bethany Seminary. 

The article covered the Sing 
Ihrough the Hymnal event in a suc- 
cinct, beautiful way. 

\ iiiiil /. Peiry 
Rlchnioiul. hid. 



Right about the "creed" 

David \lcl-"adden was right when he 
wrote "This year we adopted a creed" 
(October, page 26). It"s sad. Believing 
that lesus is the only divine Lord and 
Savior is not my problem. Some of my 
best friends use words such as that. 
Others see so much more in )esus that 



28 Mc>scni;ir IdiuiiiiA l^Wo 



they prefer not to reduce the Lord to a 
formula, much less to require that oth- 
ers do so. 

For me. the Christian life is not pri- 
marily about belie\ing. It is rather 
about a relationship with God that 
involves us in a journey ot transforma- 
tion and about inviting others to join 
us on the journey. 

Delegates at the 1995 .Annual 
Conference in Charlotte voting to 
adopt a one-time creed does not spell 
the death of the Church of the 
Brethren. Creeds do not necessarily 
destroy the church of Christ. They just 
make it more difficult to get in. 

Benton Rhoades 
La Venie. Calif, 



iGod recommends grape juice 

1 was disappointed by the interpreta- 
I tion of lohn 2:1-11 in Pete Haynes' 
I article "Miracles and Smiles" 
: (October, page 22). 1 suggest Samuele 
j Bacchiocchi's book Wine in the Bible 
j and three study books Alcohol in the 
I Bible by \an Loh for study. Van Loh 
, points out five major assumptions that 
Imoderationists use for viewing as alco- 
holic the wine that Christ transformed 
from water at the wedding in Cana. 

According to the foreword to Wine 
■ in the Bible. God teaches total absti- 
nence from intoxicants. God created 
j grapes and grape juice for man's bene- 
Ifit and enjoyment. God never intend- 
ed, however, for man to use intoxicat- 
ing wine as a beverage at all. 

Ada Turner 
Richmond. 1ml. 



Good news passed him by? 

1 was profoundls disturbed by the 
opinions expressed in the November 

I letter "God Is No Liberal." and sad- 
dened by its harsh tone. The writer 
appears to be an Old Testament 

! Christian, who has failed to grasp the 
compassionate good news that lesus 
offered to humanity. 

Several years ago. some leaders of a 
political party decided that it would be 



A multidisciplinarv conference on 

CHURCH-RELATED INSTITUTIONS 

,|une 13-15, 1996 
The Young Center of Elizabethtown College 

An interdisciplinary conference on the role and function of church-related 
Mistitutions-schools. service agencies, mission boards, camps, retirement homes, 
health care agencies, publishing concerns, etc. Scholars and practitioners will explore 
the role of organizations in the life of the church. 

* Do church-related institutions exhibit unique features 
because of their theological commitments' 

* How might Anabaptist understandings intomi and shape 
organizational patterns? 

* .Are church-related institutions able to embody "Anabaptist" 
themes in their policies, ethos, and organizational 
stnictures' 

TTie conference includes six plenary presentations and two dozen papers and workshops 

Join us for stimulating presentations and discussions 



For registration information contact 
The Young Center. 
Elizabethtown College, 
One .Alpha Drive, 
Elizabethtown, PA 17022 

Phone: 717-361.1470 Fax; 717-.161-I443 

E-mail: lroulnianbk(ava\ clown edu 




Elizabethtown 

COLLEGE 



a i^ '/'iyp i- ^i / i»^t^C(t 



^(irt\ajj^t\on 



0Ontlnncs... 




McPherson 
College 

McPherson 

Kansas 

316 241 0731 



Band Concert in Heaston Gazebo (1990s) 



laiHuuv 1 QQb Messenger 29 



j'llm 




The SerMiC anj Thr;:; Re' ..r. r >;-.\; 
wii; riviui!.' \oi;r ;:',o\i:',j; v\'s; at least -42% - :• 
moves v.'iihin the Continentai I S F -r ::': 'nr.i'.v:' 
and 3 :rec es!"' '■ ' ^ CORD northAmerican 

1-800-873-2673 

CC northAmerican 



ad\anlagi.xiu^ to make "lihcral" a dirts 
word and smear tlicif o|iponciits with 
lliat label. I made a large lapel button 
llial ^aid "lesus ChfisI is a liberal." and 




^ Partners 
in Prayer 



Daily prayer guide: 

Sunday: ^'our congregation's 

ministries 

Monday: Annual Conference offiecrs 

Tuesday: General Board and staff 

Wednesday: District executi\es. 

Beihan\ Seminary, colleges 

and uni\ersity 
Thursday: General Sersices 

Friday: Parish Ministries 
Saturday: World Ministries 

December prayer concerns: 

Congregation: Each member's 
renewed commitment to greater par- 
ticipation in the life of the church so 
that Christ's gospel is more effectively 
lived in the community. 

Conference: Nominating Committee 
meeting. January 11-14. 

General Board: Staff consultation 
January 24-25 with Redesign 
Committee. 

Districts and schools: Council of 
District Executives (CODE) meeting. 
lanuary 26-28. 

General Services: MESSENGER staff. 

Parish Ministries: Hispanic Ministry; 
Heritage Curriculum Development 
Committee. 

World Ministries: BVS Unit 220 ori- 
entation. Orlando. Fla.. lanuary 7-27: 
Lester and Esther Boleyn. serving in 
Nairobi. Kenva. 



From the 
Office of Human Resources 

Administrator 

Theological Education by E.xtension 
(TEI:) Program in Northern Sudan 

Dualilieations: 
•Administration skills 
•Seminary degree prefenci-l 



lor more injormaiioii 
caU Mcrrin Kfcncy. Rcprcscnlativc for 
Mriai Si Middle ElM. iSOUI 52)-cS'LI';^A 



wore ii tor a couple of weeks. The 
political use of the liberal label as a 
denigrating ejiithet continues unabated 
today. 

.•\//(;/; R Shuh: 
BLickshiirji. \ u. 



A privilege to know Cordier 

1 majored under .Andrew Cordier in 
history and political science and. as a 
student, served as his dri\er on several 
trips to give speeches. 

it was a privilege to know this great 
Christian teacher and statesman. .As the 
September article (jiage 14) said. 
.Andrew Cordier had hope but he also 
was realistic, '^'et he had a Christian spirit 
that was compassionate and worked for 
understanding and solutions. 

Brucf K Wood 
1:1 Ccrriio. C\ilif. 



CLASSIFIED ADS 



ALERT TO READERS— We regret that a November clas- 
sified ad calling for people to earn money by mailing 
travel brochures turned out to be an apparent scam 
(People who responded were asked to send in a cash 
"fee'— no checks ) We apologize for accepting and 
running the ad. We will check out our advertisers more 
thoroughly in the future —Ed 

FOR SALE— Furnished 3-br mobile home in very nice 
m h park in Sebnng. Fla Carpeted, screened-in-porch. 
ac, gas heat, & car port Tel i419i 643-5664 

FOR SALE— r/7e Descendants of Henry Gibbel com- 
piled by late Ira W Gibbel Henry Gibbel (born 1717 in 
Germany, died 1789 in Lancaster County) and wife 
Christina had five sons Christopher. Jacob, John, 
Abraham, and Henry This recently published, large 
family history inci compilation of years of research and 
encyclopedia on the Gibbel family (598 pp index hard 
cover 1995) 838. plus S4 shipping (Pa residents add 
6% sales tax) Checks payable to Descendants ol Henry 
Gibbel Order from Martha Gibbel Hunsicker 109 
Cottage Dnve, Palmyra, PA 17078 

INVITATION — Considenng a move' Continue your |Our- 
ney of faith on a new frontier, come to Carroll County, 
III Become part of gathering of canng people of faith 
with strong sense of community Three long-estab- 
lished Church of the Brethren congregations, each 
invested m work of Chnst locally & in wider church 
Anabaptist community, agnculturally based, multiple 
manufacturing, production facilities Fertile rolling land- 
scape overlooking Mississippi River in N W III Diligent 
supportive people: give high pnonty to education, moral 
development Considenng a move' Make it a lourney of 
faith. Contact: Carroll County Brethren, 326 S, High St., 
Lanark, IL 61046 Tel (815)225-7812 

INVITATION— Shalom Church of the Brethren, new & 
growing fellowship in Durham, N C , invites Brethren 
moving to Research Tnangle area (Raleigh, Durham. 



Chapel HiHi to worship w us Eager to provide moving 
assistance (unloading, childcare. area info,) for those 
relocating to area For info , contact Fellowship. PO Box 
15607, Durham, NC 27704 Tel (919) 490-6422 E- 
mail, ShalomC0B@AOL COM 

RETIREMENT— Active retirement community: The 
Palms Estates of Highlands County, located in central 
Fla . s e of histonc Sebnng, offers place in the sun 
away from unpleasant winter weather Away from ma|or 
Fla storm paths Not lifestyle for nch & famous, but 
comfortable, active living. Chnstian retirement atmos- 
phere Choice of lots available for lease Some homes 
listed for resale RV camping space available by sea- 
son, month, week Open to anyone age 55 or over 
regardless of race, religion, ethnic background For 
info , contact: The Palms Estates of Highlands County, 
Inc , PO Box 364. Londa. FL 33857 Tel. (941) 655- 
1909 

TRAVEL — "Alaskan Adventure Tour" leaves Seattle July 
28, 1996. Travel by plane, bus. tram, and Sun Pnncess 
tour ship (Glacier Bay & Inside Passage Cruise). 
14days, July 28-Aug 10,1996 Special pnce available 
until Feb 14, 1996 For details, contact tour host. Dr. 
Wayne F Geisert, Box 40. Bridgewater College, 
Bndgewater.VA 22812 Tel (540) 828-5494, or (540) 
433-1433 

TRAVEL— Church growth mission study venture to 
Turkey Sept 19-Oct 5. 1996 See Pergamum, 
Thyatira, Philadelphia, Smyrna, Ephesus. Antioch, 
Troas. Tory Cappadocia, Iconium. Ankara. Istanbul. Isle 
of Patmos, much more. Tour hosts: Ed & Edie 
Bontrager: Richard & Jewel Showalter Ed is Mennonite 
congregational adviser for The Andrew Center: Richard 
IS president of Eastern Mennonite Missions, lived in 
Turkey 7 years For brochure contact Bontrager, 785 
Harpersville Rd . Newport News, VA 23601, Tel (804) 
595-6889 (church), or (804) 875-0552 (home) Fax 
(804) 595-9208 



30 Messenger lanuary l>5'5ti 




New 
Members 

Note: Congregations are asked 
to submit only the names of 
actual new members of the 
denomination. Do not include 
names of people who ha\e 
merely transferred their mem- 
bership from another Church of 
the Brethren congregation. 

Chiques. Atl. N.E : Matthcv\ Sc 

Kris Strausbaugh 
Codorus. S Pa-: Dale t!t Sandra 

Biller. lohn Burns 
East Cocalico, Atl, NE.: Ann & 

Karl Good. Eva Schulize, 

Durrel Witmer 
lohnson City First. S E : Helen 

Key>. Kjm i^ Kri^lopher 

'I'arber 
Sebring. Atl. S E : Gladys 

Cyphers, Cecil Hess, William 

Hoover. Dorothy Kaufman. 

Neal Maxon. \'erne Snoke. 

Ralph Swingle 
Trinity. S.E.: Troy tV: Wilsie 

Bowery. Howard & Evelyn 

Wine 
Troy. S. Ohio; Dena & Kevin 

Boleen; Genetic, lennifer. loe 

&. Nathan Chambers; Lisa 

Denlinger: Becca Manning; 

Arlen it Clara Reed; Helen 

Straight; Bryan Ward 
Turkey Creek. N Ind : .Aaron c^ 

Adam Fer\ida 
Union Bridge, .\lid-.\ll : Dane 

DaM.s. Kathleen Domer, 

Dennis Dorsey, Doris 

Eckard. Betsy Gates, lason 

Palsgrove, [essica Replogle 
White Branch, S C Ind Brad 

Miller 

Wedding 
Anniversaries 

Bergy. Keith and loan. 

Caledonia. Mich,. 50 
Brubaker. Fred and Naumi, 

Litilz. Pa.. 55 
Dickey. Kenneth and Martha, 

Silver Lake. Ind.. 5U 
Erb. Samuel and Beulah, 

Ephrata, Pa . 72 
Heisey. Samuel and Durulhy, 

Lancaster. Pa., 55 
Herbster. Glenn and Margaret. 

Lakeville. ind,. 50 
Hite. Ralph and Frances. 

Parsons. Kan.. 50 
Linde. Elmer and Virginia. 

Ankcny. Ida . 50 
Lung, Waller and Lucille, 

Garrett. Ind . bO 
Miller. Cecil and ,Amy, Uuinter, 

Kan.. 50 
Moyer. Melvin and Carolyn. 

Linthicum, Md . 50 
Ramsey. Bill and Mona, 

Parsons. Kan,. 50 
Rinne. Fred and Rose. 

Independence. Kan . 50 
Smith. Russ and Florence. 

Eugene. Ore.. 50 
Ulrich. Walter and Emma, 

Quinter. Kan.. 65 
Wages, lohn and Helen. 

Parsons. Kan . 50 



218th BVS 
Orientation Unit 

(Completed orientation in 
Roxbury. Pa. on .Aug J5. ]'^^5) 

Arndt, Nathan, Spring Grove. 
Pa.; to Good Shepherd Food 
Bank. Lewislon. Maine. 

Arndt, Ellen. Spring Grove, Pa,; 
to Good Shepherd Food 
Bank. Lewi^tun. Maine 

Coble, David. Hershey, Pa,; to 
Good Shepherd Fuod Bank. 
Lev^iston. Maine 

Greiner. Linda, Mannheim. Pa,; 
to Good Shepherd Food 
Bank. Lewiston. Maine- 
Keller. Melody. Sabattus. Maine ; 
lo Flat Creek Church of the 
Brethren. Big Creek. Ky. 

Long. Eric. Greencastle. Pa.; \o 
Flat Creek Church uf the 
Brethren. Big Creek. Ky 

Marlow. Michael. Columbia 
City. Ind.; to Good Shepherd 
Food Bank. Lewiston. Maine 

Ocker. Carl. Palmyra. Pa ; to 
Flat Creek Church ol the 
Brethren, Big Creek, Ky 

Ocker. Barbara, Palmvra. Pa . tu 
Flat Creek Church o( the 
Brethren. B12 Creek. K\ 



219th BVS 
Orientation Unit 

tL\illiplL-tcd uiluiUjIK'n in L)jk 
Brook. Ill on No\ I 1. IQQS) 

Allen. Amber. Sacramento, 

Calif. ; to Captial ,'\rea 

Communitv Food Bank. 

Washington. D C 
Edwards. Chanda. Teltord. 

Tenn-; to The Meeting 

Ground. Elklon. Md 
Elmore. Tracev. \Vesto\er. Md : 

to Friendship Da\ Care. 

Hutchinson. Kan 
Fox. Brad. Tallmadge. Ohio; to 

Koinonia F^artners. .-Vniencus. 

Ga 
Horner. Heather. Windber. Pa ; 

to Brethren Woods. 

Keezletown. Va. 
Horner. Tamiko. Ukenios. 

Mich,; to Peace Brigades 

Intl.. Hamburg, Germany, 
lantzen. Lisa. San lose. Caiik; 

to Metropohtan Tenants 

Org.. Chicago. 111. 
Keller. .Matthew. Emporia. 

Kan.; to Africa/Middle East 

Office. COB General Board, 

Elgm. Ill 
Leard, leftrey, Glcndale, Calif . 

lo Interpretation Olllce. COB 

General Board. Elgin. Ill 
Magee, Melissa. ^'orksMlle. Ill ; 

lo NISBCO. Washington. 

DC, 
Messier. Timolhy, Baltimore. 

Md,; to Camp Fder. 

FairHcld. Pa 
Nafziger. Dorine. Archbold. 

Ohio: to Inspiration Cafe, 

Chicago. 111. 
Orlando, lane. Fitchburg. 

\'a ; to Religious Coalition 

lor Human Needs. 



Frederick. Md. 
Rhudy. Chris, lonesborough, 

Tenn ; lo Tri City Homeless 

Coalition, Fremont. Calif, 
Taylor. Andrew. Arlington. Va.; 

to Pesticide Action Network. 

San Francisco. Calif 
VanHorn. Christine. Mifflin- 

hurg. Pa ; to Tri City 

Homeless Coalition. Fremont. 

Calil, 
Wallace. Adrianne, Bozeman. 

Mont ; to Bread & Roses, 

Olympia, Wash 
Wood, lennie. ScollMlle. Mich . 

to Older ."Xdult Ser\ices, 

Fresnci. Calil 
Yerkes. Maryanne. Havana, 

Fla.; to Inspiration Cafe. 

Chicago. Ill 



Deaths 

Aldinger, \l\in R . 65. Hershe\. 

Pa , Nov lb. 1995 
Alford. Herbert. SO. Waynes- 
boro. Va.. Sept. t<. 1995 
Ausherman, Garland O . b7. 

Favetteville. Pa , .Nov I I 

1995 
Baker. Helen. (54. Dixon. Ill . 

Sept 50. 1995 
Ballard. Virgie. 8b. Huntington. 

Ind . Sepi 17. I9Q5 
Bcchtel. Arthur R . 7S. Eliz.ibeth- 

tovvTi. Pa. Oct 23. 1995 
Becker Lois .M . 55. Gordt'ii- 

ville. Pa.. Oct 3. 1995 
Bennett. Denver O.. 83. Biand 

wine. WVa . Sept. 11. 1995 
Blickenstaff. Leonard E , 81. La 

Verne. Calif. Oct 28. 1995 
Bollinger. Mary E . 83. 

.Manheim. Pa . Nov 2. 1095 
Bowman. Ruth Z 90. 

Harrisonburg. Va . Sept 7. 

1995 
Boyd. Inez. 95. North .Man- 
chester. Ind . ,\pril 27. 1995 
Brandt. Ellen, SS. Palnnra. Pa , 

Aug. 25. 1995 
Bross, Eva M,. 59. Myerstovvn, 

Pa,. Oct, 23, 1995' 
Burkholder. Mabel H . 70, 

Mverstovvn. Pa . Nov 14 

1995 
Cabbage. Kenneth D . 88. 

Prairie t-ilv, Iowa. Oct \b. 

1995 
Caplinger. leremy S . 17. 

Bridgevvater. \''a . Oct 5, 

1995 
Castellano. lesse. 70. La Verne. 

Calif. Oct 18. 1995 
Coffman. Harold W.. 78, 

MaurcrtL'vvn. Va , Sept 20. 

1995 
Cornbower. Ravmond. 85. 

Hanover. Pa". .'Xug 17. 1995 
Cosner. Katie A . 79. .Mount 

Storm. WVa . Oct. 2. 1995 
Day. Stanlev. 80. Woodstock. 

Va . Sept 29. 1995 
Duffy. Clarence. 95. Smiths- 

burg. Md . April 3. 1995 
Earharl. Esther F. 101. Lan- 
caster. Pa.. Sept. 19. 1995 
Ebersole, Anna K.. 87, 

Neffsville. Pa.. Nov. b, 1995 
Eberl. Leo. 7b. New Creek. \a.. 

luly 1. 190 5 



Elder, lacob. 79. Lavvreneeville. 

111. Nov 17. 1995 
Ellison. Eleanor, 74. Sinking 

Spring. Pa . Oct. 24. 1995 
Fetterhoff. Bill. Rossville. Ind . 

May 51. 1995 
Flalh. Russell D.. 77. Fort 

Myers. Fla.. Oct. 18. 1995 
Flory. Sadie G.. 88. Manheim. 

Pa . Oct. 9, 1995 
Freimocller. lovee. 33. 

Portland. Ore., luly 8. 1995 
Carman. Monroe B . 78. Lan 

caster. Pa.. Sept. 29. 1995 
George. Mabel. 89. Wakarusa, 

Ind.. Sept. 4. 1995 
Geyer, Helen. 83, Nappanee. 

ind.. Sept. 4. 1995 
Gibblc. Rufus G.. 87. Man- 
heim. Pa-, Sept, 27. 1995 
Gilbert. Martha R,. 94. La 

\erne, Calif. Oct. 18. 1995 
Grimm. Maurice A.. 85. Hams- 
burg. Pa. Nov 7. 1995 
Gross. M Ophelia. 7b. New 

0\loid. Pa.. Sept. 24. 1995 
Grubb. Barbara. 55, Sebring. 

Fla . Oct. 23. 1995 
Hargrave. Millie, 84, Di\on. 

Ill . Oct 17. 1995 
Harley. Chester. 81. Greenville. 

Ohio. Nov 15. 1995 
Harman, Chester D.. b3, 

Petersburg. WVa . Oct 17. 

1995 
Harris. Lee M . 52. Brooklyn. 

NA'. Sept 9. 1995 
Helslern. Vinna. 89. Greenville. 

Ohio. Oct 31. 1995 
Hempfing. Curtis. 71, Hanover, 

Pa . .May 1. 1995 
Hoch. Ralph. 86. Huntington. 

Ind.. Feb. 2. 1995 
Holley. Raymond. 65, Hunling- 

ton. Ind . May 19. 1995 
Hunter, Nettie, 81, Manchester, 

Md., Feb 19. 1995 
Hyman. Iravis C . 16. Hagers- 

"tovvn, ,Md., Oct 12. 1995 
Keeney. Katie M . 95. New 

Oxford. Pa.. Nov 14. 1995 
Kettering. Elizabeth R . 92. 

Palmyra. Pa.. Oct 51. 1995 
Kloelers. Henry S . 83. Davton. 

Ohio. Oct. 9, 1995 
Knaub. Donald S.. 75. ^'ork. 

Pa Nov 13. 1995 
Kohr. Charles A . 87. I .incislei. 

Pa . Oct, b. 1995 
Kolb. Melvin. 68. Lancaster. 

Pa. Oct 19. 1995 
Lambert. Issac 1 . 9b. Harrison- 
burg. \a . Sept 1 1. 1095 
Loughry. Margery A . 87. 

Nellsville. Pa.. Nov 5. 1993 
Lucabaugh. .'Mverta C . 92. 

Hanover. Pa . Nov 18. 1995 
May. A Fdg.ir. 68, Dundalk. 

Md . Sept 20. 1905 
McDonaldson. Ruth E . 75. 

Davton, Va.. Sept. 20. 1905 
McKeever. Mildred, 92. Worth 

ington. Minn.. Oct. 29, 1995 
Melts. Irene K., 87. Davlon. 

\'a . Oct 2. 1995 
Melzler. Valetta H . 79, Akron, 

Pa. luly 19, 1995 
Meyers. Henry B., 85, Soudei- 

ton. Pa., Oct. 15, 1995 
Miller. I D Oliver. 84. 

flunlinglon. Ind . \piil 22. 

1995 



Miller, Paul W., b9. Delphi. 

Ind.. Sept. 24. 1995 
Miller. S Dale. 81. Tipp City. 

Ohio. April 29. 1095 
Miller. Stephanie. I 7. 

flarrisonburg. \'a . April 27. 

1995 
Molnar. .Aleck. 73. L niontovvn. 

Pa . Oct 4, 190 5 
Mulligan. Ruth. 04. Ilunting- 

lon. Ind . .Aug 7. 1995 
Mummert. Paul. 81. Hanover. 

Pa . Feb 26. 1995 
Myers. Daisv. 75. Greencastle. 

Pa . Oct 1. 1995 
Neidermyer, David 1. 18. 

Lancaster. Pa . Sept 25, 

1995 
Null. Marv. 55. Lavvreneeville. 

Ill . Aug IS, 1995 
Olslot. Marv E . 9b. Lancaster. 

P.I . Oct 22. 1995 
Over, Marv R . 84. Lampeter. 

Pa . Oct 16. 1995 
Pilsenbarger. Gilbert V. 75. 

Head Waters. \'a . Sept 3. 

1995 
Prowanl. Elsie. 85. Deluince. 

Ohio, luly 2. 1995 
Reese. Grace. 97. Wakarusa. 

Ind . Oct 22. 1905 
Roller. Carolvn E , 104. Wevers 

Cave. Va . Sept 15. 1995 
Shearer. Sarah E . 95. Lan- 
caster. Pa.. Sept 23. 1995 
Shelly. Clvde R . 85. .Manheim. 

Pa . Nov 4. 199 5 
Simmers, \esta C 60. Tiniber- 

ville \a . Sept 5. 1095 
Skidmore. .Martha L . 8b. 

Harrisonburg. \'a . Nov 10. 

1995 
Smith. Elbert R . 82, Ankenv. 

Iowa. Oct 9. 1995 
Smith. Elmer R . 89, Bridge- 
water. Va , Sept 18. 1995 
Smith. Walter, 7b. Manchester. 

Md. Sept 15, 1994 
Smith, William E . 02. Bridge- 
water. \'a , Sept 18. 100"5 
Springslube. Lucv. 89, Stover. 

Mo . Sept. 3. 1904 
Sterner. Mabel V. 82, New 

Oxford. Pa.. Oct 25. 1995 
Stover. Howard. Washington. 

DC , Nov. 13. 1995 " 
Slrine. Lelia M . 69, .Ashland. 

y)hio. -Aug 17. 1995 
Stuart. Kenneth. 78. Custer. 

Mich . Oct. 19. 1905 
Sunday. Llonna L . 59, Brod- 

becks. Pa. Oct 13. 1095 
Ta.\Jer, \'irginia. 7 1 . Cerro 

Gordo. 111.. Sept 11. 1095 
Turner. Frank. 83. Dry Run. 

Pa . Sept. 23. 1995 
Waggy. Leslie. 40. Franklin. 

WVa . Aug. 24. 1005 
Warden Sr . Samuel F . 68. 

Winston-Salem. N C . Sept 

4. 1005 
Weaver. Hovvaid. 84. Lebanon. 

Pa.. Oct 30. 1095 
Weller. Esther. 83. Defiance. 

Ohio. Mar. 1. 1994 
Widncr. Wilnia. 81. I ogansport. 

Ind . ,\lav 5. 1995 
Wilhidc. David B.. 84. 

Wavnesboro. Pa . Nov I 1. 

190 5 
Woir Fdna. 88. West Milton. 

C)hio. 1,111 13. 100 5 



laiitiarv \'-')^b Messenger 31 



A 'Don't ask; don't tell' issue? 



The dcnoniiiKiiiiinwidc dchalc s|xiikci.l liy those 
l\so Lonlro\cisi;il 1^05 Xiiiiual C'onlcicncc queries 
is prining ilsell liaiui\ lor man\ l^rethien eager to 
unburden llieniselxes on a \ariet\ ol issues. 

That \ariet\' runs I'roni the issue ol havinj; a ereed 
other tlian tlie New Testament to that ol lesus as 
the only divine Lord and Sa\ior. Also represented in 
the \ai'iet\ are tlie \oiees ol those who are pluralists. 
as well as tlu>se whci espouse uni\ei'salisni. 

1 ha\e I1.1 keep ni\ Kl'-ll and I'-I'Ot Annual 
Conference booklets, as well as my back 
Ml SSI \c'.l-Rs. in hand\ reaeh to keep the ehronok>- 
g> ol this debate straight. Let's rehearse it here: 

At the l^'l'-^l .\nnual Conlerenee in Lortkiin.!. 
Ore., two queries generated im]^assioned speeches. 
One i.|uer\ ("I he Nature ol the Chuixh") called 
lor a definition oi "the essential nature ol the 
Church of the Hretlircn. that withtiiit which we 
would no longer be the Church oT the Brethren." 
Conference returned that query. "ap|iarentl\ out oi 
concern that the resulting statement would too 
closely resemble a creed" (.August September 
IQQI. jtage 18). Since then, the Communicorp 
study and rejien-t (December \'^^4. page b) have 
gotten somewhat at the heart of that query's con- 
cern. .At least we now know we are on the right 
track as Brethren so long as we are continuing the 
work of lesus. peacelully. simply, and together. 

The other i'ortland (.|uery ("Religious Pluralism 
and Headship eif Christ") asked lor "a clear and 
concise statement conceining lesus Christ as the 
Sa\ior of the world and as head oi' the church 
according to the Scriptures." That query was 
accepted by Conlerenee, aflirming "that jesus 
Christ is the Son of God. the Sa\ior of the world 
and the Head of the Church, according to the 
Scriptures" (.August September I 'OQ I . page l)S). 

Then came the tv\o IQQS queiies. Conference, in 
resiionse to "Ordination Lordship of Christ." 
afllrmed the IQ'-TI statement gi\en in the paragraph 
abo\e. iUit. it added, "it is our understanding that 
not only all members of the church, but especially 
all those called to set-a|">art ministiy. should clearly 
affirm the unitiueness of lesus Christ as the only 
di\ine Lord and Sa\ior." Responding to the i.]uery 
"Chiist the Only Sa\ior." Conlerenee. in an odd 
maneu\er. added to its affirmation of the I'-^Ql 
statement further affirmation of "the answer given 
by Annual Conference in IQQ^ to the query 
'Ordination, Lordship of Christ.'" 

With that, the fat was in the fire. The Chinch of 
the Brethren now L)Hiciall\ understands "that not 
only all members of the church, but especially all 
those called to set-apart ministry, should clearly 



afliiiii the uniqueness ol lesus Christ as the only 
divine Lord and Savior." l"or some Brethren. 
Conference "has done gone to meddling." and 
those Brethren aiv not happy. 

Some protesters call the 1Q95 Conference action 
the establishment ol a creed, and that doesn't set 
well with them. Whatever happened to the New 
I'estament as our only creed'.' they ask. 'Lliev liked 
that better: it had a sort of "Don't ask; don't tell" 
leel to it, with plenty of i\)om to vveasle. Ciranted. 
most Brethren don't agree on vvliat it exactly 
means to say "Lhe New I'estament is our onlv' 
creei.1." but it sure does sound good, and it has 
been handy to toss around for all these years. 
Heretokire. Brethren could clasp their New 
Testament to their bosoms and look with superior- 
itv at these creed-fettered Christians liobbling 
along in other denominations. 

Brethren have always had a streak o( universal- 
ism in them. Our most prominent forerunner. 
Alexander Mack, of all people, "expressed his belief 
in God's universal salvation, but cemcluded that 
this must be held and taught privately" {Brethren 
Encyclopedia, page 12Q2). "Don't ask: don't tell." 
he counseled. Brethren through the 18th and f-^th 
centuries dealt with ministers who espoused uni- 
versalism. .Annual Meeting delegates in 1875 
ordered that Brethren ministers were not to preach 
or debate |-iublicly in favor oi' final restoration of ail 
people. "L^on't ask; don't tell." they equivocated. 



N. 



low with the lOQS Annual Conlerenee debate 
and query resiionses, issues are out in the open. Is 
lesus really the only, sure enough, honest to good- 
ness divine Lord and Savior? if so. what's to hap- 
pen to the zillions of ]X\>ple wIki don't profess 
him'.' if we, in all our meanness, wouldn't con- 
demn people to hell, how can an all-loving God do 
such a thing'.' Who are we to tell non-Christians 
that our religion is better than theirs'.' Who were 
the writers of our New Testament creed, anyway, 
to report lesus as claiming "No one comes to the 
Father except through me" (|ohn 14:6)? Was 
Peter merely giving way to liyperbole when he 
declaied "I here is salvation in no one else, lor 
there is no other name under heaven given among 
mortals by which we must be saved" (.Acts 4:12)? 

'fhis month's article "No Other Gospel" (page 
18) states the case for the 1995 Conference dele- 
gates who voted for the query responses and tor 
many other i^rethren. But we scarcely expect it to 
satisfy those whose feathers were ruffled by that 
Conference action. — K.T. 



32 Messenger januarv 199b 



Wanna Fill 
These Shoes? 




Do you want to . . . 

Be part of solving deep-rooted problems? 
Work for peace and justice? 
Serve basic human needs? 
Help preserve the environment? 
Have a life-changing experience? 

Join Brethren Volunteer Service 



Linda Timmons, Coordinator of Recruitment 
Todd Reish, Coordinator of Orientation 
Dan McFadden, Director of BVS 



Call (800) 323-8039 

Monday through Friday 
between Sam & 4 pm C.S.T. 



Attonlalilc retirement ehoiees to meet tlie ehniiiiiiig 

lik>tyles ;mci nectls of today "s maturiiii; adults. A 

nationally aeereiiited C^hristian Continuinsj Care 

Retireinent (loniniunity opeTi to all faiths. Diseover 

the many amenities our campus provides. 

>^ ( lott.iLies >«• Apartments '"*»■ Personal Care '^Xursiny Care 

Tost Hospitalization 8: Rehabilitation Ser\ iees 

'^ "Special (]are" (Alzheimer's I nit 

(717) 624-2161 



2290 Carlisle Pike 
New Oxford. FA 17v^50 




Cross Keys ViT/oge 





V 



(Intersection of U.S. Routes 30 and PA 94) 




'^ 




m'^' 



'riiiii I ic : 




Jean Myers was 

project director for 

the Si. Croix 

CDCC operation. 



\\c hope tlial 1 ran lloLonib's sior\ i.)ii Cooiicraiivc Disaslcr 
Cliild Caiv (page 15) will gi\c the program hclplul visibility. 
\\ liilc uc uore finalizing this month's Ml sM \(..i i;. stime sta- 
tistics came Ircim C'lK'C coordinator Lydia Walker's office in 
New \\ indsLir, Nkl. 1 he\ impi-csscd us. and we think they 
will impress \oii as well. In a nutshell the\ gi\e an example of 

what is accomplished b\ dedi- 
cated Hrethien WL>rkers plugging 
away while nuist ot the denoini- 
nation is unaware o\ their aeti\i- 
t\. lleie aie senile of ClK'C's 
10Q5 highlights: 

• Conducted 12 l.e\el 1 
Disaster Child Care Training 
Workshops, resulting in 1 bO 
new certified caregivers. 3 5 ol 
them Brethren. The workshops, 
led by 1 7 trainers and interns, 
were held in Canada as well as 
the LS. 

• Conducted l^nel II 
training k'r 59 Disaster Project managers, in Tempe. .-Xriz. 

• Trained se\"en new trainers in Alberta and British 
C^ikmibia in c^iciperaticni with the Christian Retormed World 
Relief Committee of Canada. 

• Interned four new trainers in .Alaska. 

• Presented 24 educational seminars, talks, and displays 
at various meetings, including 12 district conferences. 

• Responded to se\en disasters, including a gas explosion 
in \lai viand, flooding in various states, and hurricanes in the 
Caribbean and F-lorida, 

• Provided child care lor 5.5l-iC^ children in those disasters. 
Seventy-six caregiveis. 44 i^if them Biethien. wxirked 858 
\olunteer days. 

• Total number ot children cared tor since l'^80: 47.b75 
in 118 disaster situations. 



Vol 145. No. 2 February 1996 




ltd pjpcr 



® 



COMING NEXT MONTH: A cluster of articles on mental 
illness and the church. 



Editor 

Kermon Thomasson 
Managing Editor 

Nevin Dulabaum 
Editorial Assistant 
Paula S Wilding 
Production. Advertising 

Paul Stocksdale 

Subscriptions 

Vicki Roche, Martha Cupp 

Promotion 

Linda Myers Swanson 

Publisher 

Dale E. Minnich 

District Messenger represenlalives: 

\ii.inu>. Norihcasi. Run l.ul/: .Atlantic 
Southeast. Ruby Raynicr: Illinois 
Wisconsin. Krcsion Lipscomb; South 
Central Indiana. Marjoric Miller: 
Michigan, Marie\\illoughb>; Mid- 
Atlantic. Ann touts; Missouri Arkansas. 
Luci I.anJcs; Nortlieni Plains. Faith 
Strum; Northern Ohio. .-Mice L Driver: 
Southern Ohio, lack Kline: Oregon 
Washington. Marguerite Shamberger; 
Pacillc Southwest. Randv Miller. Middle 
Penns>Kania. H\a Wampler; Si.»ulhern 
PeiinsyKania. lilmer O, Gleim; Western 
iVnnN\Kania. lay Chnslner; Shenandoah. 
Tim Harve); Southern Plains. Mary Ann 
ndl:\irlina. David .^ Hettie Webster: 
We^iern Plains. Dean Hummer: Wesi 
Mai\a, W'inoma Spvirgeon. 

Messenger is the olficial publication ol the 
Church ol the Brethren, Entered as sec- 
ond-class matter Aug 20. 1918. under 
,Act ol"Congres> ot Oct. 17. 1^17. Filing 
date. Nov, I. 1984 
Messenger is a member of 
the .AsscKTialed Church Press 
and a subscriber lo Relig:ion 
Ne\vs Senicc and 
Ecumenical Press Sersiee. 
Biblical quotations, unless 
otheiwise indicated, are Irom the New 
Iie\ised Standard \'ersion. 

Subscription rates: $12.50 indi\idual 
rate. SlO.50 churvh group plan. S10.50 gill 
subscnptions Student rate 75c an issue. 11 
uni move, clip address label and send with 
new address to Messenger Subscnpiions. 
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at least fi\e weeks tor adda-ss change- 
Messenger is owned and published 
1 1 times a year by the Cieneral Ser\ices 
Commission. Church of the Brethren 
General Board Second-class postage paid 
at Elgin. III., and at additional mailing 
office. Februan 199b, Copyright 199b. 
Church of the Brethren General Board. 
ISSN 0026-0555. 

POSTM.ASTER: Send address 
changes tc^ Messenger, 1451 Dundee 
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Brethren and the 'peace process' 12 

In a situation as complicated as the one in the Middle East, it's 
no wonder that Brethren find it ditficult to be evenhanded in 
their response. Mervin Keeney sorts through the complexities of 
the current "peace process." 

Caregiving on St. CroLx 1 5 

Fran Holcomb takes readers to the Caribbean island of St. 
Croix, where she and other Brethren responded to the 
Hurricane Marilyn disaster as workers with Cooperative 
Disaster Child Care. 



In Touch 2 
Close to Home 4 
News b 
In Brief 9 
Special Report 10 
Stepping Stones 1 1 
From the 

General Secretary 
Letters 28 
Pontius' Puddle 2Q 
Partners in Prayer 
Turning Points 5 
Editorial 52 



27 



50 



Fred Bernhard: Hospitality is the path 18 

Fred Bernhard finds the Ajinual Conference moderatorship a 
bully pulpit to preach his message of offering hospitality, 
whether in Cincinnati or back home in the congregation. Profile 
by Donald R. Fitzkee. 

Does the future have a church? 22 

Paul Mundey says we have it backward: Ask not if the church 
has a future; ask, rather, if the future has a church. It does, but 
only if ... . 

Seed-corn stewardship 26 

Wilfred E. Nolen describes a Brethren couple who worked hard, 
lived simply, invested wisely, and used their assets to support the 
work of others. 



Credits: 

Cover, 18, 20 upper and 

lower: Rebecca Maurer 
Inside front cover, 15.17 right: 

lean Myers 
1, 21 top:'|elTLeard 
4: Karen Meints 
5 left: Nevin Dulabaum 
5 right: Sara Speicher 
6: art by Nina Roher 
7: Liz Bauer 
8 top left: Kathleen 

Campanella 
8 lop right: SERRV 

International 
8 bottom: George Keeler 
10: Esther Boleyn 
12. 13 right: David Radcliff 
1 3 left: Mervin Keeney 
17 top: Nancy Barr 




Cover story: We have 
pliiyeil right into his 
hand, electing hiui 
moderator just in time 
for Jiim to huekster his 
book on liospitalitv. If it 
had happened in the 
lioiise speakership, it 
)\'ouhl he different, but 
in tlie CInireh of the 
Brethren he may just get 
c/HY/v 11'///; it. Read our 
profile on Annual 
Conference moderator 
Fred Bernhard (page IS). 



Correclion; In [anuary, page 29, line 12, "one-time" 
should ha\c read "one-line." We regret the error. 



February li^Qb Messenger 1 



Ill 



Playwright at 91 

Theora Oswalt didn't want 
to mo\e to the retirement 
home. Young at heart at 
age 9 1 . she resisted living 
in an environment tliat 




Theora Oswalt took 

a neiv lease on life at 

91 when she became 

inspired to write a 

play based on the 

history of the 

Brethren Home in 

Greenville, Ohio. 



"In Touch " profiles Brcihrcn irf 
n'oidd like you lo iiwcl. Scud 
slory- ideas' and photos lo "In 
touch."' MlSSTNGFR. 145! 
DuudeeAvc-. Eipn. II. 601 2U. 



would give the impression 
she was old and dependent. 

She had been an aetive 
go-getter all her life. For the 
past 54 years she had been a 
busy member of Happy 
Corner Church of the 
Brethren in Clayton, Ohio. 
She had taught Sunday 
school since she was a 
teenager. She had directed 
junior high work in 
Southern Ohio District 
through the 1950s. She 
returned to college at age 55 
and began a 1 4-year public 
teaching career. (The May 
1 4, 1 960, Gospel Messenger 
carried a cover story about 
her and her achievements.) 
She had traveled extensive- 
ly — in the US. Europe, Asia. 



and .Africa. 

Was all the activity behind 
her now? Theora sat in her 
room at the Brethren Home 
in C'reenville, Ohio, and 
wondered. As she was read- 
ing a history of the home, 
inspiration hit her and 
juices started stirring. She 
w ould write a play based on 
the history. 

Since then she has been 
busy — reading, interview- 
ing the history's author 
(Mary Sue Rosenberger), 
roughing out the scenes of 
the play. Acts I and 1! are 
largely completed. Plans are 
underway for the play's 
premiere and for a video. 

Theora sees her setback 
in spirit as just a temporary 
thing. Now it is full steam 
ahead again for her. 

Perhaps she reads with a 
smile a booklet she wrote in 
1994, The Miracle of Being 
Miicty. In that booklet she 
wrote words of advice that 
could have been for herself 
in a short time: "You know 
that calamities occur that 
you cannot control but 
must endure. To worry 
about them before they 
occur or afterward is self- 
abuse." Theora was battling 
worry about needing to 
adjust her lifestyle at the 
time she penned those 
words. She wrote, "I pray 
that I can make the change 
and adjust gracefully." 

With grace she did make 
the adjustment, and her 
play about the Brethren 
Home is evidence of it. 
Theora's birthday will be 
February 24. Perhaps her 
next writing project will be 
another booklet, a sequel 
titled The Miracle of Being 
j\inet\'-two. 



Nice to meet you! 

Geiic Czaplinsky oi 

Topango. Calif., was born 
to Russian parents and 
lived in a dis|ilaced persons 
camp in Germany at the 
end of World War II. His 
family immigrated to 
Kansas, sponsored by the 
Church ol the Brethren, 
and (Jene graduated \vom 
McPherson College (19b7). 

Gene's firm. American 
Buili(.in and Coin, was cho- 
sen by the Soviet Union in 
the 1980s as the official 
North American distributor 
lor all its commemorative 
coins. 

The hrm produced a set of 
silver medallions i.)ii the 
achievements of Soviet 
leader Mikhail Gorbachev 
and US president Ronald 
Reagan (December 1988. 
page 2). Gene was invited to 
Moscow during last year's 
celebi-ation of the end of 
World War II. There he 
llnallv met the leader he con- 
siders the "man of the centu- 

Greg Czaplinsky is working 
with .Mikhail Gorbachev on 
a special set of medallions. 




2 Messenger Februan 1 QQ6 



ry." Mikhail Gorbachev. 






Elgin. 111. (with fellowship 




1 j^ 


Now he is planning a 


^^^H^ t '- '^^H 


Vi ^p ^^^^^^1 


status in Illinois and Wis- 


three-year project, working 
directly with Gorbachev to 


WH\ jM 


^ k^^l 


consin District: see February 
1995 cover story), after par- 


portray and honor the for- 
mer Soviet leader's person- 




ticipating in the Million Man 
March in Washington. D.C.. 


al power and legacy. 
About his year-old son. 


' ^^H 




last fall, is organizing "The 
Thousand Man March." 


Sasha. Gene says. "I want 




iflj^^^L ^ ^^^1 


slated for lune 1 5 in Elgin's 


(him) to know where he 


; * ^ 1 


^^^^^^^n j^^^l 


Wing Park. The ecumenical 


came from, what the histo- 




^^^^^^He^ ^^^^^I 


event's planners hope to 


ry of the world was, and 
what it can teach him about 


^1 


^^^^^Bt^^^I 


attract 20.000 marchers "to 
celebrate their role in the 






himself and others." 


In Mexico. Ray Donaldson (left) met Roman Catholic 


family and community and 


Adapted from McPherson 
College Review. Fall 1995. 


Bishop Samuel Ruiz, a key figure in peace negotiations. 


recommit themselves to liv- 
ing that role in a way that 




"New Ways to Play in 


however, and is a key fig- 


makes the northwest sub- 




Columbia": and January, 


ure in peace negotiations. 


urbs (of Chicago) — and 




Dage 8). He is a retired 


Raymond is convinced 


their homes — better places 


Columbia to Chiapas 


IBM technical writer who 


that US foreign policy is 


to live." 




now drives tour buses. 


flawed because US officials 




Raymond Donaldson 


That job was handy qual 


deal primarily with foreign 




believes in the unity of the 


ification for his Pastors for 


government officials and 




world's people as one fami- 
ly under God. He also 


Peace assignment: He and 
other volunteers drove a 


business leaders. "There 
really is not an understand- 


Remembered 


believes in peace. 


donated school bus from 


ing of the poor people in 


Lizzie L. Longenecker. 


He believed in peace 


Maryland to Mexico, carry 


other parts of the world," 


106. died December 20 in 


when he joined the Peace 


ing a load of educational 


he said. "Mexico is a 


Manheim. Pa. A member of 


Corps in the 1960s and 


and medical supplies. 


microcosm of the world." 


White Oak Church of the 


served in Ethiopia. And he 


Along the way in Mexico, 


Viewing that microcosm 


Brethren in Manheim. she 


believed in peace when he 


the Pastors for Peace group 


firsthand has been eye- 


was well known across the 


participated in a Pastors for 
Peace caravan to the 


saw much evidence of civil 
unrest as well as oppression 


opening to Raymond, and 
he recommends travel in 


denomination for her high- 
quality quilts, which she 


Mexican state of Chiapas 


of the rural poor by the 


underdeveloped areas of 


produced until she was 101. 


this past August. 

Pastors for Peace is a 
national ecumenical group 
that has shipped humani- 


Mexican government. The the world to anyone inter- 
villagers of Chiapas, descen- ested in peacemaking, 
dants of the Maya people, 
are considered such a threat 


Her work fetched prices up 
to $7,000 at the annual 
Atlantic Northeast District 
Disaster Relief Auction in 


tarian aid to Cuba, El 


that 60 percent of the 




Lebanon. Pa. (December 


Salvador, and Mexico. 
With its material supplies. 


Mexican army is based in 
that state, according to 


Names in the news 


1989. page 3). 
• Daniel L. Miller. 96. 


it also carries a message of 
peace and encouragement 


Raymond. 

But Raymond also saw 


Steve Murray, a member of 
Cloverdale (Va.) Church of 


died December 15 in New 
Lebanon. Ohio. He and his 


for peaceful reconciliation 


much that was encourag- 


the Brethren, was presented 


wife of 67 years. Eliza 


among opposing political 


ing. He met Roman 


with the 1995 Sunshine 


Coning (who survives). 


forces in the countries it 


Catholic Bishop Samuel 


Award by the Blue Ridge 


were the parents of Donald 


travels to. 


Ruiz, whom someone 


Community Services Board 


E. Miller, general secretary 


Raymond is a member of 


described to Raymond as 


as "an individual who has 


of the Church of the 


Columbia (Md.) United 


"a thorn in the side" of 


excelled in (his) dedication. 


Brethren. .\ farmer, he had 


Christian Church, a con- 


both the Mexican govern- 


unselfishness, and caring 


been a life-long member of 


gregation with Brethren 


ment and the Vatican. Ruiz 


for citizens who have men- 


The Brethren Church when 


affiliation and one that has 


is trusted by both the gov- 


tal retardation." 


he transferred his member- 


a strong peace emphasis 
(see April 1995, page 12, 


ernment and the Zapatista 
National Liberation Army. 


• Walter Blalark. pastor 
of Living Gospel church in 


ship to the Church of the 
Brethren in 1993. 



Februcirv \^9b Messenger 3 



I) 



(111 



A gripping performance 

Vise-grips are a versatile 
gadget found in tlTc toolbox 
of almost e\ery handyman 
and farmer. Among 
Brethren of southeastern 
Nebraska, Vise-grips also 
are associated with 




For a gift of Vise- 
grips, ISathan Meints 
(left) and pastor John 
Wagner (center) 
presented a poster of 
thanks to American 
Tool director of 
operations Jim 
Essman. 



"Clou' to Home" liighlighls 
iicwi ofcongregaiions. dislricls. 
college!!, homes, and other local 
and regional life. Send story 
ideas and plioios to "Close to 
Home." MrssENGER. 1451 
Dimdee .\\e.. Elgm. 11. 60120. 



Petersen Manufacturing, 
the company in nearby 
DeWitt that developed the 
original locking pliers. 

John and |anet Tubbs. 
members of Holmesville 
(Neb.) Church of the 
Brethren, needed Vise-grips 
in their work at Mason 



Looking for liberals 

(oe Murray, senior writer 
for Cox Newspapers, 
wrote in his syndicated 



Technical School in 
Garkida, Nigeria (July 
1996, page 14). They 
wrote back home about the 
need. The Holmesville chil- 
dren's Sunday school class- 
es had been focusing on the 
work of |ohn and lanet. so 
they began raising money 
to buy Vise-grips. 

Holmes\ille member 
Laureen Riedesel worked 
on behalf of the children. 
She contacted |im Essman, 
director of operations for 
American Tool, who was 
willing to help. Specialists 
selected 1 5 pairs of Vise- 
grips judged most suitable 
for automotive mechanics. 
The tools were donated, so 
the $126.25 collected by 
the Holmesville children 
was passed on to the Africa 
office in Elgin, III., to 
defray shipping expenses. 
The gift of tools was sent 
out to Nigeria in January 
with Brethren headed there 
for a workcamp. 

A colorful thank-you 
poster prepared by the 
Holmesville children was 
presented to Jim Essman at 
American Tool by Sunday 
schooler Nathan Meints 
and pastor |ohn Wagner. 

Will Nigerians be as 
tempted to sin by stubborn 
bolts and skinned knuckles 
as Americans are? That will 
have to be another story. 
— Noel DiTM.^RS 

Noel Ditmars is a member of 
Hohnesville iSeb.) Church of the 
Brethren. 



column last fall about 
Koinonia Church of the 
Brethren in Grand 
lunction. Colo., affiliated 
with .American Baptists 



Churches in the USA. 

Murray, calling Grand 
junction "conservative 
ci,>untry, as most of the 
West always has been (and) 
jirobably always will be," 
was looking for "liberals" 
(or at least his stereotypes 
of liberals). At Koinonia 
church, he found what he 
considered inconsistencies. 
"Neither Brethren nor 
Baptists are knoun as liber- 
als," he said. 

The Koinonia pastor is 
Karen Calderon (former 
reprcsentatise lor Latin 
America and the Caribbean 
on the Church ol the 
Brethren World Ministries 
staff). That's liberal, accord- 
ing to Murray. But he liked 
Pastor Calderon. he said, 
describing her as fitting the 
image of "most e\erybody's 
fa\orite grade-school 
teacher." He liked her mes- 
sage, her point for the 
morning being to ask the 
right questions as Christians. 
.Ask "How do I cope?" not 
"Why do 1 suffer?" 

Murray accounted for 
Koinonia's present state of 
health (a membership of 
some 175) by pointing to 
an infusion ol' worshipers 
from a variety of religious 
backgrounds. He especially 
liked this statement in the 
congregations worship bul- 
letin: "We value each indi- 
vidual and foster respect 
for our diversity as we 
build community. . . ."' 

Murray may not have 
discovered or defined the 
essence of the Church of 
the Brethren, but for a 
denomination so little 
known nationally, even 
being mentioned by a syn- 
dicated columnist can be 
appreciated. 



4 Messenger Februan 1 996 




Germantown Church of the Brethren worker Earl Eby 
stands outside the newly dedicated Lafiya House. 



Opening Lafiya House 

Germantown Church 
of the Brethren in Phila- 
delphia, Pa., has dedicated 
its Lafiya House. Named 
for the church's involve- 
ment in Lafiya: Whole- 
Person Health Ministry, the 
building houses two com- 
munity-based service orga- 
nizations — a counseling 
and education center and a 
youth cultural center. 
There also is a meeting 
room for youth programs 
and neighborhood organi- 
zations. The second 
fioor provides short-term 
transitional housing for 
men. The building was 
bought and renovated by 
the Germantown congre- 
gation. 



Campus comments 

Manchester College has 

established an annual 
"Otho Winger Day," hon- 
oring the school's president 
who served 191 1-1941. 
The 1996 celebration will 
take place )une 1 . as part of 
Alumni Weekend. The 
event will recognize alumni 
who tell the best "Otho 
Winger stories." 



• McPherson College 

hosted an exhibit "Black 
Women: Achievements 
Against the Odds" in 
lanuary. The exhibit was 
produced by the 
Smithsonian Institution. 

• Juniata College cele- 
brated Martin Luther King 
|r. Day January 1 5 with a 
convocation featuring 
speaker Randall Robinson, 
a human rights activist. 
Robinson put his life on the 
line in a 1994 protest 
against President Clinton's 
returning refugees to Haiti 
without asylum hearings. 
The King event also includ- 
ed a performance by the 
New York Boys Choir. 



Castafier dedication 

About 100 people repre- 
senting the Church of the 
Brethren, hospital stafL and 
the community attended 
the October 8 dedication of 
the new medical staff apart- 
ments at Castafier Hospital 
in Puerto Rico (May/|une, 
page 5). 

The apartments were 
built with assistance from 
Church of the Brethren 
members through the 
Association of Brethren 



Caregivers (ABC). 

ABC director fay Gibble. 
speaking at the dedication, 
recognized the Church of 
the Brethren's history with 
the hospital since it was 
established with help from 
Civilian Public Service 



workers 50 years ago. 

Many people from 
Atlantic Southeast District 
attended the dedication: the 
district was holding its 
annual meeting at the near- 
by Vega Baja church that 
weekend. 



The Castaner church choir performed during the 
dedication of the new medical staff apartments. 




Let's celebrate 

Evergreen Church of the 
Brethren near Dyke, Va., is 
celebrating its centennial 
with events throughout 
1996. The "big day," how- 
ever, is April 28. Several 
Brethren "saints" will be 
highlighted during the 
year — Alexander Mack by 
Larry Glick, fohn Kline by 
Paul White, and Dan West 
by Carl Bowman. On 
November 10, Evergreen's 
own special saint, home 
missionary Nelie Wampler, 
will be portrayed by Nancy 
Morris, the writer of the 
May 1992 Messenger arti- 
cle on "Miss Nelie." 

• Midway Church of the 
Brethren in Lebanon, Pa., 
observed the centennial of 
its first meetinghouse in a 
November 19 worship ser- 



vice featuring as speaker 
Don Fitzkee. chairman 
of the General Board's 
General Services Commis- 
sion and author of the 1 995 
book Moving Toward the 
Mainstream. Midway also 
dedicated a nine-classroom 
addition to its present 
building. 

• Lynchburg (Va.) 
Church of the Brethren cel- 
ebrated its 75th anniversary 
October 15. 

• Red Oak Grove 
Church of the Brethren, 
near Floyd, Va., marked its 
quasquicentennial during 
September and October 
1995. concluding with love 
feast, feetwashing, commu- 
nion, and homecoming the 
weekend of October 8. 
Former Virlina District 
executive Owen Stultz was 
guest speaker. 



February 1995 Messenger 5 




ti 



- welcomed 



/» 



"... 4.S Christ Welcomed 

You." from Romans 15:7. is the 

theme for this year's Annual 

Conference. Nina Rotter, a 

member of ^brk Center Church 

of the Brethren. Lombard. III., 

used the scripture verse as the 

basis for the logo. 



The HCirj pa^es include /mrj of Cluirch ol ilie 
Brethren organizuliiin!^ and member!,, diid i>f orga- 
nizations and people of interest to or affiliated 
with the Church of the Brethren. \m's item.\ are 
intended to iiifonn: Tluy do not necessarily repre- 
sent the opinions o/Messengi.r or the General 
Board, and should not he considered to he an 
endorsement 



Annual Conference business 
to include seven new items 

The 210lh Church of the brethren An- 
nual Conference in Cincinnati, |uly 2- 
7, will include ^e\el■al new queries aiul 
business ileins. 

"Congregational Structure." 
• . . t I'S ^1 query sent by Atlantic \oith- 

C.i • , east District, was initial- 
/?/7'S7 ed after a task 

committee con- 
cluded that the 
current congregational struc- 
ture model is not flexible 
enough to accommodate all 
congregations. 

"How Christian Faith 
Should be Expressed in the 
Political Process," a query 
from Northern Indiana District, 
originated in a Sunday school class 
on Christianity and social concerns 
at Crest Manor Church of the 
Brethren. South Bend. Ind. According 
to Northern Indiana District executi\e 
Herman Kauffman. the church and 
district are concerned about various 
groups taking political stances in the 
name of Christianity, especially w hen 
Christians have \arying \iews on 
social issues. 

Middle F'ennsyhania District 
Board will send the query "The New 
Testament as our Rule of Faith and 
Practice." The district hopes to re- 
examine this basic denominational 
tenet, said Randall Yoder. district 
executive. 

"Denominational Polity. Property 
and Stewardship Issues." a query from 
Pacific Southwest District Board, orig- 
inated after the district had a conflict 
with a congregation over loan pay- 
ments for the congregation's property. 
.According to Gene Hipskind. district 
executive, denominational polity con- 
cerning property issues includes con- 
flicting statements and needs clarity. 
A query focusing on world mission 
philosophy and global structure will be 
sent by Virlina District. 
The Ethics in Ministrs Relations 



Statement Re\ision. a new business 
item stemming from the 1992 state- 
ment, will be sent to Conference. 

•A statement on child exploitation, 
which originated at the 1995 National 
Youth Christian Citizenship Seminar, 
will be sent to the General Board's 
March meeting, and if approved, on to 
Coiilerence. 

L iifinished business that will be sent 
to Conierence delegates for approval is 
the Nonsiolence and Humanitarian In- 
ter\ention and End of Life Decision - 
Making statements. 

L iillnished business also will include 
rejiorts Irom study committees on 
Ministerial l^eadership. Simple Life, 
and Congregational Ethics. 

Interim reports will be sent by the 
Office of Deacon Statement, the 
Human Genetic Engineering and Fetal 
Tissue Use. and the Re\ie\\ and E\alu- 
ation committees. 

Several events are scheduled for the 
days preceding Conference, The Mini- 
sters' Association will sponsor a con- 
ference titled "Managing Church Con- 
fiict." luly 1-2. Family Ministries. .As- 
sociation of Brethren Caregivers. Pro- 
gram for Women, and Ministry of Re- 
conciliation will sponsor "Redefining 
the Famih — Living in Paradox," on 
luly 1. The New Church Development 
Seminar is scheduled for |uly 1-2. 

The Annual Conference logo was 
designed by Nina Roher. a member of 
York Center Church of the Brethren. 
Lombard, 111., and support stalT for the 
General Board Finance Office. 

Packets of information about regis- 
tration, accomodations, transportation, 
and special events will be mailed to all 
churches and registered delegates in 
March. 

To order these items or for more in- 
formation, contact Annual Conference 
Office at (800) 525-8059. 

Messenger's May issue will feature 
a comprehensive Annual Conference 
preview, including a look at the candi- 
dates for moderator-elect, music, 
worship, events, and business. 
— P.AUi^ S. Wilding 



6 Messenger February 199b 



Bosnian students gather at 
Brethren Service Center 

Seventy-ti\e students from Bosnia who 
are attending high schools and colleges 
in the United States gathered at the 
Brethren Service Center in New 
Windsor, Md., for a retreat December 
27-30. 

Retreat sessions were conducted by 
Steven M. Weine, a psychiatrist from 
the University of Illinois in Chicago, 
who has been working in the area of 
genocide and its survivors. Another 
guest was Nedzib Sacirbey, Bosnian 
ambassador-at-large, who discussed 
the peace talks and the future of 
Bosnia. 

Informal sessions were filled with 
laughter and music as friends from 
home met, and new friendships were 
formed. 

But the horrors of war also were evi- 
dent. Conversations were sprinkled 
with phrases not usually heard at New 
Windsor: "After my brother was shot 
by snipers, we left our village," and 
"My mother was sent to a concentra- 
tion camp, where she later died." 

Students old beyond their years 
were happy because they are now safe 
and can continue their education, but 
thev also were sad because thev have 



Omacun bo a s* 
kod hw l mir 

OK KORALAHERCEeOVNA 
:M«»ta««:A OK AUGUST 




family and friends still in danger. 

The Bosnian Student Project is a 
program of the Fellowship of Recon- 
ciliation, an 80-year-old interfaith pac- 
ifist organization. For the past two 
years, high schools and colleges across 
the country have provided scholarships 
for more than 120 students. 

The Bosnia Student Project selects 
highly qualified students in the war 
zone and matches them with a host 
family and a school offering a scholar- 
ship. The students are chosen on the 
basis of need, ability, and their likeli- 
hood of success in US schools. Two 
Church of the Brethren colleges — 
Manchester and McPherson — have 
participated in the program. 

This retreat was made possible by a 
partnership formed by Doug Hostetter 
of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, 
Miller Davis, executive director of 
Center Operations at the Brethren 
Service Center, and Donna Derr, 
director of Refugee/Disaster Services. 

The Bosnian Student Project was 
looking for a place to hold the retreat 
but had limited resources. Partial 
funding came from the Conference 
Center and Disaster Response Pro- 
gram. Travel expenses were paid for 
with donations and by host families. 
The New Windsor Conference Cen- 
ter and Refugee/ 
Disaster Services were 
able to provide a 
peaceful setting for 
the Bosnian students 
to continue the heal- 
ing process from a 
trauma created by 
war. — Kathleen 
Campanell-x 



Two of the visiting 
Bosnian students 
took a moment to 
improve a message 
hoard at the Brethren 
Service Center. 



General Board team to visit 
South Korea this month 

Before the General Board considers in 
March the future of the Church of the 
Brethren mission in South Korea, a 
team of four will visit that country, 
February 25-March 1. 

At its October meeting, the General 
Board voted to re-evaluate the Korean 
mission alter a group from the Re- 
formation Presbyterian Church (RPC) 
in South Korea decided it no longer 
wanted to be in covenant with the 
Church of the Brethren (April, page 16 
and November, page 7). 

David Radcliff, director of Korean 
Ministry, did not want the General 
Board to decide on the mission in 
South Korea "without experiencing it 
for themselves." Radcliff's rationale 
for the trip, which was presented at 
the October board meeting, is that the 
General Board should learn about the 
situation firsthand before deciding the 
mission's future. 

loining Radcliff will be General 
Board members Bonnie Kline Smeltzer 
and Steven Petcher, and World Minis- 
tries Commission executive loan 
Deeter. 

Accompaning the group in South 
Korea will be field staff Dan Kim. Kim 
was instrumental in introducing the 
RPC members to the Church of the 
Brethren. Because the RPC is no long- 
er interested in becoming part of the 
Church of the Brethren. Kim is focus- 
ing on other avenues for the Korean 
mission, which would include begin- 
ning house churches. Kim also is cur- 
rently talking v\ith indi\iduals interest- 
ed in the Church o\' the Brethren and 
is exploring options for securing a 
central office for Brethren mission 
programs. 

In 1990. Annual Conference direct- 
ed the General Board to "begin with 
intention to plant the Church of the 
Brethren in Korea" and to begin dis- 
cussions with existing denominations 
in South Korea for possible ecumeni- 
cal ties.— PS.W 



February 1 99b Messenger 7 



.\('W: 



The Andrew Center releases 
1994 congregational stats 

Olden D. Milclicll, a wduniccr lor The 
Andrew Cenler. reeentlv relea>ed his 
IQ'54 study ol slalisiies Ironi Chureli 
oi the l^rethren eongregalions. In 
Miieiiell's ■■1'004 Sialistieal Inlonna- 
lion." Mitchell identifies 23 ehuiehes 
ixwiixling nienibershiiis ol 500 or 
more. The top ti\e. all over 700. are 
1-rederiek (Md.). ^171; Manchester. 
North Manchester, hid.. 7b2: r:aton. 
(Chio), 7i~i: Hridgewater (\a.). 74^: 
and l:|ihrata (Pa.) 74b. 

Leading in average attendance in 
woiship arc White Oak. Manheini. I'a.. 
5b0: Frederick t.Md.). 517: Eaton 
(Ohio), 500: IqMirata (I'a.) 459; and 
New Fairview, York. Pa.. 425. 

Milchell's Ib-jiagc re|Xirl. drawn 
Ironi 1QQ4 data, further lists 21 
churches with average worship atten- 
dance over 500 and IQ churches with 
average Sunday school attendance 
over 200. 

The report lists 58 churches that 
received 20 or more members during 
the vear. leailing are New Fairview. 
\ork. Pa.. 88; i;phrata (Pa.). 55; 
Lower Cumberland. Fast Berlin. Pa., 
42: baton (Ohio). 40: and Oakland. 



Octlvsbuig. Ohio. 5'-). 

In annua] leceipls, the top churches 
are Lancaster (Pa.), .Sbiy,000; Frede- 
rick (Md.). .S5Q5.000: Filit/ (Pa.). 
.S550.000: Bridgevvater (\a.). 
S507.000: and Chambersburg (Pa.). 
,S4'-')2.000. Twenty other churches 
reported receipts over S 500,000. 

Fnumeraled in other categories are 
churclies leading in net gains and net 
losses in membership, and in both 
increases and decreases in attendance 
in worship and Sunday school. 

Mitchell commented that not all 
congregations sent in their reports, 
some rejiorls may be incomplete or 
inaccurate, and errois may have 
occmied in transferring the numbers. 



Staff changes from New 
Windsor, stewardship 

David Bubci. manager ol clothing 
processing and long distance hauling 
lor the Brethren Service Center, New 
Windsor, Md.. was released in August 
due to tinancial consideiations. 

Bubel had worked lor the center 
since IQb2. 

Richard Foster. |ihotographer tor 



Sl'RRX Inleiiiational, was released in 
November due to changes in market- 
ing strategv brought on by financial 
considerations. 

Foster, wlui had worked for 
SFI^RV since 1082. will continue to 
do contract photography work with 
SI-RRV, 

Herbert Fisher retired from his 
position as stewardship office's plan- 
ned giving officer for the Plains re- 
gion, efiective December 51. Fisher 
had worked lor the deneral Board 
since 1989, 





Daviil Ihihcl 



Richard hosier 




Herbert rislier 



Reimer named coordinator 
of new volunteer program 

ludy Mills Reimer was named coor- 
dinator ol the Volunteer Summer 
Service program, effective lanuary I, 

Reimer. 1995 Annual Conference 
moderator and pastor ol Smith 
Mountain Lake Fellowship near 
Roanoke, Va., is coordinating the 
pilot project as a volunteer. 

Reimer. who is working oiu oi her 
home in Cioodview, Va,. is assisted by 
Dan McF'adden, director of Brethren 
Volunteer Service, and Chris 
Douglas, director of Youth iuul 
Young Adult Ministries, The two 
programs are jointly sponsoring the 
new program, 

"The need for leadership deveiop- 




JikIy Mills Reimer has begun 
her uork as coordinator of 
Volunteer Summer Service. 

ment in our denomination makes this 
program a crucial focus for our 
church." Douglas said. 

Following a May orientation. 



young adults will be assigned to work 
in congregations with ministrv and 
peace and justice issues. 

According to Douglas, the three 
directors currently are designating 
volunteers and congregations for the 
pilot project. 

During a joint meeting ol World 
Ministries and Parish Ministries 
Commissions held during the Gene- 
ral Board's October meetings, the 
pilot program was approved to begin 
as soon as funds became available. 
The General Board's Executive 
Committee subsequently allocated 
SI 0.000 to start the project this 
summer. 

If successful, the program will con- 
tinue as a pilot project in 1997 and 
become a full program in 1 998, 



8 Messenger February 1996 



'Behold, I make all things 
new' program launched 

A $15 million financial commitment 
program directed to Brethren individu- 
als is being launched by the General 
Board. 

The program, titled "Behold, I make 
all things new," was authorized by the 
1995 Annual Conference, and was 
fine-tuned in October by the General 
Board. 

It will be officially launched when its 
National Leadership Council meets in 
Elgin, 111., February 5-4, and as re- 
gional kick-off meetings are held 
around the denomination throughout 
1996. 

The program calls for the raising of 
$5 million for General Board program 
needs during 1996-2000, $2 million 
to add to working reserves to under- 
gird the General Board's financial sta- 
bility, and $ 1 million in deferred gifts 
to assist the work of the church in 
future years. 

The National Leadership Council is 
an advisory committee to the commit- 
ment program, composed of about 50 



people who are substantial donors 
toward the church's ministries. 

The group met in April 1995 in New 
Windsor, Md., to offer initial counsel 
to general secretary Donald Miller, 
and other Brethren leaders. 

Selected individuals will be invited to 
regional launch events for a weekend 
of worship, sharing of information, 
discussion of the opportunities before 
the Church of the Brethren, and an 
estate-planning seminar. 

According to Miller, the gatherings 
will not be solicitation meetings, but 
will begin the process of finding at 
least 600 Brethren who can provide 
the needed resources. 

Regional meetings are scheduled for 
Carlisle, Pa., February 17-18: Hagers- 
town, Md., March 2-5: Fort Wayne, 
Ind., March 50-51; the Harrisonburg, 
Va., area. May 4-5: St. Charles, 111, 
lune 1-2: Roanoke, Va., |une 15-16: 
Kansas City, Mo., November 2-5; and 
one or more additional meetings to be 
scheduled on the west coast. 

Ernest Barr of Carmel, Ind., a for- 
mer chairman of the General Board, is 
chairman of "Behold." 



Calendar 



1996 Lafiya Retreats. Camp Eder. Fair- 
ficld. Pa.. February 9-1 1, and Camp 
Mack, Miltord, Ind., March 1-3 [Con- 
tact Association of Brethren Caregivers. 
Church of the Brethren General Offices, 
(800) 525-803Q|. 

Inlerfaith Impact Legislative Briefing, 

"Healing the Lands: Political Rituals and 
Religious Advocacy." Washington, D.C.. 
March 5-6 [Contact the Church of the 
Brethren Washington Office, (202) 546- 
3202]. 

General Board meetings. General Offices. 
March 7-12 jContact General Secre- 
tary's Office 1. 

National Youth Christian Citizenship 
Seminar, "Biblical Values and Media 
Myths." New York City and Washing- 
ton, D.C.. April 15-18 (Contact Youth 
Ministries. General Offices j. 

Regional Youth Conferences. Bridgewater 
(Va) College Roundtable. April 20-21; 
Manchester (Ind.) and McPherson 
(Kan.) colleges. April 26-28 [Contact 
^outh Ministries. General Offices]. 



II Im 



The 1996 Youth Peace Travel Team was chosen in December, 
making this the sixth year the team will visit Church of the Brethren 
camps to teach peace and Brethren heritage. This year's team is 
Heidi Beck, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Rebekah Helsel, Altoona, Pa.; Sarah 
Hendricks, Quinter, Kan.; and Jessica Joline White, Mechanicsburg, 
Pa. The team is sponsored by Outdoor Ministries, Youth and Young 
Adult Ministries, One Earth Peace Assembly, and the office of the 
Denominational Peace Witness. 

A seminar on Sudan, titled "Partnering in Mission in a Complex 
Crisis," is scheduled for March 1 7-21 , in Washington, D.C. The 
seminar, co-sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Washington 
Office, will focus on the tragedy of Sudan, including war, hunger, 
disease, human rights violations, and refugees. The seminar's fee 
is $200; space is limited. Contact the Washington Office at (202) 
546-3202. 

"Between the Flood and the Rainbow," a newsletter on envi- 
ronmental issues, was sent to congregations in December The 
newsletter is published by Shantilal Bhagat, director of the Church 



of the Brethren Eco-justice Concerns. The December issue focuses 
on climate change, and includes articles on implications of climate 
change, theological and ethical imperatives, public policy, and glob- 
al warming prevention. To receive a copy of the newsletter, contact 
Bhagat at (800) 323-8039, ext. 227. 

Over $243 billion in military spending was allocated in 1995, 
according to the Church of the Brethren Washington Office. 
Simultaneously, nearly seven million more children were identified 
as without basic health care coverage. Of the $892 billion Congress 
plans to cut from the federal budget by the year 2002, over $326 
billion will be cut from programs that assist the poor, disabled, 
elderly, and others dependent on welfare. 

In 1968 and 1987, Annual Conference encouraged Church of the 
Brethren members to support the government in funding programs 
that help all people. In 1987's "A Quest for Order" Annual Confer- 
ence stated "We petition our government for a change of priorities 
in our national budgeting, away from spending for war and toward 
spending for human services." The Washington Office suggests 
contacting your representatives concerning national spending. 



February 199b Messenger 9 



/W'I'I 



He 



Beneficiaries of grace 



by Lester E. Boleyn 

In our Nucr Bible IVanslalion oHicc in 
Nairobi. Kenya, we usually begin eacii 
week with a team member selecting a 
theme and then leading us in de\o- 
tions. On December 4. it was transla- 
tor 'lul W'an's turn, and he chose 
scriptures Irom Genesis 25 and 
Romans '•1 tor the theme "Being 
Chosen by Ciod." He em|ihasized how 
God had chosen Pharacih to persecute 
the Israelites, then destroyed Pharaoh's 
armies at the Red Sea. God sometimes 
shows he is in charge by using those 
who do not profess faith in him. 

After the closing prayers. I modified 
this theme by saying I believe God 
used the situation ol other ix'o]ile 
(whose faith we don't know) to bring 
about the evacuation o\ Tut and me 
from Leer in southern Sudan just one 
week earlier. W'e were stranded there. 
ak)ng with a German T\' news team, a 
German doctor, and several others, 
when the Sudanese government placed 
a ban on all flights into Sudan by the 
L'nited Nations and private non- 
government organizations (N'GOs). 
The ban went into effect on November 
23: Tut and 1 were scheduled to come 
out twx) days later. 

W'c never know how God will an- 
swer our prayers. I had prayed that 
God would make a way for us to leave, 
or sustain us while we waited. 

N'GOs working in areas such as 
southern Sudan try to be self-sustain- 
ing in order not to further tax the lim- 
ited local resources. This means they 
depend on regular shipments o\ food 
and supplies from the outside. Thus, 
we had taken 1 75 pounds of food and 
supplies when we went to Leer on 
November 16. By November 25, how- 
ever, our supplies were gone, meaning 
we would have to live on local staples. 

We had gone to Leer to work with 
the manuscript review committee 
there. The weakest stage of the trans- 
lation process is having other mother- 
tongue speakers read and comment on 

10 Messenger February 199b 



the work that has been done. 

Lor eight days we had sal with the 
fiv e rev ievvers in the shade o\ two large 
neem trees from 7:50 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Our work went well, and we accom- 
plished more than we anticipated. We 
were quite pleased and were prepared 
lo leave, knowing the committee 
would lunction well in the future. One 
day before we were to leave, we got 
word of the ban on flights. 

We surelv didn't mind slaving vvith 




Though Tut Watt and Lester Boleyn 
work on translating the Bible into 
Suer, a Sudanese language, they 
are based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

the Nuer people. They are gracious 
and warmhearted people whose cul- 
ture is one of welcoming the stranger. 
Tut and I are known throughout Nuer- 
land as "the Bible translation people." 
and we never feel like strangers. We 
are always welcomed warmly, as we 
were on this trip four times by differ- 
ent church groups. On the first Friday 
evening, about 100 singers, dancers, 
and drummers from the local church 
choir came after dark, singing and 
dancing for about an hour, .'\fter that, 
we made speeches of thanks, and they 
went off into the darkness after anoth- 
er song or two and a prayer. 



On Sunday, after I had preached to 
a lull house, a Sunday school group 
came to greet us, and was followed 
immediately by the Women's Fellow- 
ship. Lach group had at least 50 peo- 
ple, and the whole celebration lasted 
two to three hours. 

But the clima.\ was on our last 
'Lhursday — Thanksgiving in the US. A 
grouji walked about 90 minutes from a 
nearby village to bring us sour milk, 
grain, and a live goat, which they gave 
to me. On Friday we had our own 
Thanksgiving, despite the flight ban. 

We were prepared to either stay or 
go. Then, on Sunday at 2 p.m., we got 
confirmation that two small planes 
would arrive around 5 p,m. 

The NGO operating the hospital had 
requested an emergency food flight for 
the hospital, the news team needed to 
leave, and the UN had two of their 
own people in a nearby town. .■Ml these 
things, together with the urging of the 
NGO we were traveling with, con- 
vinced the UN it was worth defying 
the ban. And we were the beneficiaries. 
About 1 people left Leer that Sunday 
afiernoon. The first plane took about 
seven and the baggage: the second 
]ilane was on the ground only long 
enough for the three of us remaining 
to crawl in through the pilot's door. I 
didn't relax until we entered Kenya. 

.After our Monday devotions. Tut 
confessed he never felt afraid until 
after we were home and he realized 
how long we rnight have been there. 

While in southern Sudan, faced with 
the prospect of being there for an 
indefinite period of time, my feeling 
was one of complete helplessness. But 
we made it home, and we are thankful 
to a Geid who is able to do all things, 
and who answers prayers in his Ji 
own way. 

Un Ih'ccmhcr '). ihc Sudanese govcrnineni 
ivscindcil lis ban i>n most Inunanitarian fliglus. 

Since 1 9S9. Genera! Board employees lo 
Sudan. Lesier E. and Esther Boleyn. have coordi- 
nated the translation of the Bible into S'lier. a 
langtiage spoken by one million Sudanese. 



by Robin 
Wentworth Mayer 



Stepping Stones is a column offering 
suggestions, perspectives, and opin- 
ions — snapshots of life — that we 
liope are helpful to readers in their 
Christian journey. .As the writer said 
in her first installment. "Remember 
when it cotnes to managing life's 
difficulties, we don't need to walk 
on water We just need to learn 
where the stepping stones are. " 



swim 



STC 



The line at the fast -food 
restaurant was long for 
mid-afternoon. So 1 left my 
son waiting at the counter 
while I navigated through 
the seating section, rushed 
down the hallway, took a 
sharp turn to the left, burst 
through the door, and there 
on my right saw . . . urmals. 

The first thought that 
came to my mind was: 
"Huh? Now why are they 
putting urinals in the 
women's restroom?" 

Maybe you haven't found 
yourself in the wrong 
restroom lately. But I'll bet 
there have been times you 
have taken a wrong turn, 
and your first reaction was 
to assume that someone 
else was at fault. 

Remember the bank 
statement you raised Cain 
over, only to discover later 
that your spouse had made 
an ATM withdrawal and 
forgotten to record it? 

What about the "respon- 
sibility lecture" you gave 
your teenager on the low 
gas tank, only to remember 
you were the last person to 
use the car? 

Let's face it: We all like to 
be right. But there is a 
world of difference between 
being right and getting right. 

Had 1 been determined to 
be right, I would have 
attempted to prove that 1 
was actually in the women's 
restroom. Someone had just 
mistakenly installed urinals 
in it. 

Ridiculous? Of course it 



is. But some of the scenar- 
ios played out in families 
and organizations are 
equally absurd. 

An athlete quits the team 
because "the coach doesn't 
know what he's doing." 
The team goes on to win 
the championship. 

A woman leaves her hus- 
band because she is so mis- 
erably unhappy. Five years 
later, she is alone, strug- 
gling financially, and still 
miserably unhappy. 

A congregation gets rid of 
a pastor because the church 
isn't growing. Ten years and 
5.7 pastors later, the church 
still isn't growing. 

Or . . . the church is grow- 
ing. But growing in a way 
that disrupts the status quo. 
The pastor is out, tradition 
is in. attendance is down, 
and nobody talks about 
what really happened. 

.A church member states 
his position on an issue. 
But when the vote goes the 
other way. he refuses to 
support the decision of the 
body and instead boycotts 
services and withholds 
financial support. 

"Therefore confess your 
sins to one another, and 
pray for one another, so 
that you may be healed" 
(fas. 5:16). How quickly we 
agree with this advice. How 
reluctantly we practice it. 

1 suppose 1 could have 
gone to the manager of the 
restaurant and complained 
that the urinals were in the 
wrong restroom. I could 



have found a crowbar and 
pried them off the wall. I 
could have switched the 
signs on the outside of the 
doors. And if being right 
was my ultimate goal, I 
would have done any or all 
of those things. 

But in that situation, get- 
ting right v\as a lot more 
important to me that being 
right. And the only way to 
get right was to admit I was 
wrong. I exited the men's 
restroom red -faced and 
grateful for the vacancy 
that spared me further 
embarrassment. 

If being right is your con- 
suming passion, it's easy 
enough to achieve that illu- 
sion. All you have to do is 
stubbornly insist that every- 
one else is wrong and blind- 
ly ignore all information that 
challenges your presupposi- 
tions. You won't fool anyone 
else; to others you will be as 
obvious as a woman in a 
men's restroom. You can, 
however, create a nice little 
bubble of denial that will 
protect you from the truth. 

If. on the other hand, you 
are less interested in being 
right, and more interested 
in getting right, the straight 
and narrow path to that 
end is learning to admit 
when you are wrong. 

And start with litde 



things. It strengthens jjI 
vou for big things. i ' 



Robin Wentworth Mayer is pas- 
tor ofKokomo (Ind.) Church of the 
Brethren. 



February 1996 Messenger 11 



Brethren and the 'peace 



by Mervin Keeney 

Muhamnicd. a 10-ycar-old 
I'alestinian hoy. was walking 
to school one morning with a 
IViend w lien they were startled 
by the sight o( a corpse in a ditch. 
Horrilled. the\ rushed to school \o tell 
the principal, who notitied the author- 
ities. The dead person turned out to 
he an Israeli soldier, murdered by 
unknown assailants. The story became 
troni-page news. 

.-\lread\' shocked by the dead bod\\ 
the boys knew that they still faced an 
interrogation by the military authori- 
ties. Nothing happened all day. But at 
nightfall a knock came at the door, 
and soldiers entered. Frightened. 
.Muhammed initially said he knew 
nothing. The soldiers slapped him. and 
his mother begged him to tell what he 
knew . so he told the story. But the 
Israeli soldiers thought he might not be 
telling the whole truth, so he was taken 
in for further questioning. Muhammed 
was returned home by the soldiers in 
the morning, his legs bruised and his 
face swollen from beating. 

Who could believe that a small boy 
v\'ho had done his duty to report what 
he had seen could be otherwise impli- 
cated'.' What lessons are intended by 
applying to a child the controversial, 
"moderate physical pressure in interro- 
gation" that is official Israeli policy? 
The lessons learned through this treat- 
ment are diametrically opposed to 
encouraging either positive social 
development or the desire to live at 
peace with the Israelis. Should anyone 
be surprised if one day Muhammed 
becomes negatively, even violently, 
involved? (Adapted from Letters from 
PCqlestiiie — E-Mail Excerpts in an Age 
of Uncertainty, by |ohn Worrell and 
Linda Ammons. 1995.) 

As a church that values God's peace, 
in the fullest and richest sense of that 
word, and also seeks righteousness 
and justice from our faith perspecti\e. 

12 Messenger February 1996 




Israeli soldiers Hatching Palestinians 
from the parapet of a Jerusalem gate 
symbolizes Holy Land reality even as 
the "peace process " progresses. 

we Brethren find oursehes caught in a 
dilemma with the current Palestinian - 
Israeli "peace process." Many of us 
celebrated the famous 1995 handshake 
on the White House lawn, and we felt 
some connection by the presence there 
of our general secretary, Donald 
Miller. The tone of our media cover- 
age, then and since, gives the impres- 
sion that peace has come to the 
Middle East. Brethren dearly seek 
peace in the land where jesus walked. 

But as we listen to Middle East 
Christians and look at the accord 
process more closely, we see a widen- 
ing gap betAveen the rhetoric and the 



ground-le\el realit\. Because of the 
many injustices built into this political 
jirocess thus far. serious questions 
arise about whether it offers sufficient 
basis to lead to a lasting peace in the 
region. The editors of Middle East 
Report noted that they are "uncomfort- 
able using the phrase "peace process' to 
refer to the actual dynamic of 
Palestinian- Israeli relations. The phrase 
in fact appropriates 'peace' to refer 
exclusively to terms of American-Israeli 
imposition, and to exclude as 'enemies 
of peace' those who insist that these 
terms are a recipe for continued con- 
tact." Perhaps this "peace process" 
deserves a second look. 

While initially we found hope in the 
Declaration of Principles, we also high- 
lighted the critical requirement of these 
agreements that Israel cease all settle- 
ment-building activity (General Board, 
March 1994). Instead of honoring this 
requirement. Israel during 1 994 and 
1995 continued settlement-building 
within the Occupied Territories at an 
increased rate. 

Also Israel has continued to seize 
land generally; some estimates place 
this amount at 57 square miles confis- 
cated just since signing the accords. 

Thus far we find that only the ser- 
\ices of government, the costs or 
obligations, have been transferred to 
Palestinian control. Power, in terms of 
income-producing industrial and eco- 
nomic activity, has been kept in the 
hands of the Israelis. Some would 
point to this as an intentional effort to 
create economic dependency, or as a 
means to ensure the failure of the 
Palestinian National .'\uthority to 
establish itself as a viable government. 

In the face of these realities, those 
who seek peace might echo the words 
of Palestinian poet Mahmoud 
Darwish. "My opposition to the terms 
of the accord is a measure of my 
attachment to real peace." 

Our impressions of both the conflict 
and the peace process are shaped by 



process 




media, yet news coverage itself may 
reinforce a distortion. Media give wide 
exposure to tiie violent drama of bus 
bombs, but have not covered the 
weekly shooting of Palestinians, 
including women and children, by 
Israeli soldiers or settlers. The sys- 
temic violence of the Israeli apartheid- 
like economic and social repression as 
it administers the Occupied Territories 
of the West Bank and Gaza does not 
grab the headlines. Nor has world 
opinion to this point galvanized for 
change in the region, as was directed 
against South African apartheid. 

Brethren have been involved in this 
part of the Middle East region for 
decades in a variety of peace, human 
rights, and education roles. We have 
a humanitarian concern for the 
Palestinian people who were forced 
from their land and have lived for 
decades in refugee camps. We relate to 
and support the local Christian com- 
munity. The outflow of Christians 
from the Holy Land has been a con- 



cern of the worldwide church in recent 
years. We uphold human rights and a 
just handling of land rights that too 
often have been settled by military 
might. Brethren have been a quiet 
presence laying the groundwork for 
peace in this conflicted environment. 

It is not surprising that Christians 
have an interest in the Holy Land — 
where the church has existed since the 
time of the Apostles to the present day. 
And it is not surprising that we should 
have special feeling for the Palestinian 
people who were a part of the earliest 
church. Father Elias Chacour. a 
Melkite priest who supervised a 
Brethren volunteer serving at his 
Galilee school some years ago, reminds 
us that, ethnically, "the Christianity of 
the Holy Land is Palestinian." 

And yet our long-term interest for 
peace in the Middle East is "not simply 
from a concern for the area which is 
the birthplace of the Christian Church 
but more primarily for the people there 
who are being violated and because 




Jerusalem is home to three monothe- 
istic religions, and evidence abounds 
that in it historic sites lie one atop 
the other. Islam's Dome of the Rock 
(at right in left photo) is built on the 
site of Solomon 's temple, all of 
which was long ago destroyed except 
for Judaism s " Wailing Wall " (above 
photo). Cross-topped churches and 
crescent-topped mosques frequently 
are neighbors in the holy city. 

war threatens" (General Board state- 
ment, February 1975). 

While we stand with the marginal- 
ized Palestinians and relate to 
Palestinian Christians in the region as 
brothers and sisters in the faith, we do 
not see Israelis or lews as our ene- 
mies. Father Chacour counsels us, 
"your friendship with one side should 
not mean enmity or hostility to the 
other side." We recall that our own 
heritage of religious persecution, as 
well as the common concerns lews 
and Brethren have for minority rights, 
have often drawn us together on social 
and political issues. 

The roots of the Palestinian- Israeli 
conflict are complex. As the birthplace 
of three faiths, the land is full of sites 
that are sacred or historic for one or 
more groups. Multiple claims on the 
same piece of land, whether it is a holy 
site or just a family olive grove, are a 
common occurrence. Since this prop- 
erty has changed hands repeatedly 
through the course of history, at least 



Fehruaiv IQQb Mcsseiiger 13 



pari ol the coniusion in understanding 
these eompeting elaiiiis is tlie lack o\' 
clarity about which century we are 
speaking of when we refer to a partic- 
ular spot of ground. 

Historic and sacred sites are liter- 
all)' on top of each other in 
some locations. For example, 
the hoK Muslim site the Dome of the 
Rock is built on the site of the Temple of 
Solomon. The recent expansion of con- 
struction has aggravated this problem. 

On the whole. Brethren do not ha\e 
undue attachment to specific historic 
sites. Therefore, we may not immedi- 
atel\ grasp the ccnirality of land in the 
contlict between Muslims, jews, and 
Christians in the region. We need to 
listen carefully as these believers artic- 
ulate the meaning and importance of 
land in these faith traditions. 

The conflict is luriher complicated by 
the external interest in this land by the 
millions of belie\ers in the three 
monotheistic faiths birthed in the 
region. The Crusades to reclaim the 
Holy Land from Muslim rule (AD 
1096-1270) were only one example of 
major external involvement with this 
piece ol property. External tactors cre- 
ated the present state of Israel, resulting 
in Palestinian displacement. If we rec- 
ognize how these outside influences set 
the stage and continue to play a part in 
the conflict, we will gain understanding 
ol the realities at work. Then, perhaps, 
we can begin to identify the role our 
own nation has played in this conflict 
and our responsibility as its citizens. 

The lack ol genuine support toward, 
or perhaps ambi\alence for. the 
Palestinian people by the wider .\rab 
world has been an unhelptui factor. 
Palestinians living in the refugee camps 
and in the Occupied Territories of the 
West Bank and Gaza have too often 
paid the price for .Arab decisions made 
elsewhere, in which they usually had 
little voice, while they faced the conse- 
quences of military occupation on a 
daily basis. In a similar way. Middle 
East Christians point out that they too 
often pay the price of ill-ad\ised 
actions on the part of external 



Christians who take positions or 
actions regarding the region without 
consultation with them. 

In addition, there are se\eral compli- 
cating dynamics. At the present time, 
there is a tremendous imbalance of 
power because the United States has 
supported Israel militarily and econom- 
ically for several decades. This fact adds 
to the imbalance of power at today's 
negotiating table and raises concerns 
that agreements will be unduly biased 
and therefore result in a peace that fails. 

Based on these historic and contem- 
porary realities, the conflict between 
Israelis and Palestinians is particularly 
hostile and deep-seated. A high degree 
of pain and anger exists on both sides. 
For a long period, both parties wished 
the other would just disappear; rhetoric 
on both sides even supported this end 
through military force. In light of this 
level of hostility, the progress being 
made today toward living together does 
indeed seem miraculous. 

In assessing the transition to this 
point, we must acknowledge some 
important progress. Both the Israelis 
and Palestinians have recognized each 
other and have started taking steps 
toward living as neighbors again. 
While the Interim Agreements thus far 
fall far short of achiev ing the return of 
land to the Palestinians reciuired by 
UN resolutions, some cities already 
have been handed over and more are 
scheduled for transfer in the months 
ahead. Even modest steps toward 
these Israelis and Palestinians living 
together with less violence and suffer- 
ing should be celebrated. 

The painful process of moving from 
states that have previously sought the 
other's elimination to become sister 
societies seeking to live at some level 
of accommodation side-by-side has 
exacted a toll on both Palestinians and 
Israelis, and is recognized as a factor 
in the assassination of Israeli Prime 
Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Riad farjour. 
general secretary of the Middle East 
Council of Churches, a primary 
Brethren partner in the region, believes 
that whatever else may be said of 
Rabin's "peace process" record, "it 



must be acknowledged that he broke 
step with the past. He has certainly 
inspired a new way of thinking within 
a significant segment of Israeli society, 
moving it from a violent and vengeful 
survivalist mentality that has no goal 
but itself, to one where people can 
now think of a longer-term basis for 
life in a truly Middle Eastern future." 
Perhaps the concept "justice in tran- 
sition." currently being promoted by 
the international human rights com- 
munity, could be an interim objective 
for this process with which Brethren 
can resonate. This phrase implies an 
unfinished process, during which jus- 
tice is sought, with the intent of mov- 
ing toward a more positive and just 
end than presently exists. Such a 
process seems consistent with peace- 
making as the Brethren understand it. 

In humility, we need to take our 
stand alongside the imperfect 
peacemakers of the region, recog- 
nizing that, as human beings, we seek 
not perfect peace, which exists only in 
Cod, but inurement toward this 
inspired state. We need not blindly 
accept biased or flawed political 
processes because some have labeled 
them "peace." Nor should we withhold 
our support from progress that, while 
inadequate and incomplete, moves 
toward a greater level of peace in the 
Middle East. Such a position embraces 
both the pain and the hope embodied 
in the present transition. 

Peace, as a word and concept, is a 
central value for all three faiths rooted 
in the region. Both the word and the 
concept, in its richest meaning, are evi- 
dent in daily greetings, worship, and 
prayer of Middle East Muslims, lews, 
and Christians. Winether we say it in 
Arabic or Hebrew, the phrase. "Peace 
be upon you." expresses a blessing, a 
hope, a vision for a possible future 
together. May our common desire for 
God's peace become a foundation for 
our joint efforts toward achieving ii 
this reality in the Middle East. — 

Mcnin Ktviuy senvs as reprcsenhiliw for 
Africa and the Middle F.ast. and is a former 
missionar\' to Sudan. 



14 Messenger February \^9b 



Caregiving on St. Croix 



by Fran Holcomb 

My husband. Carl, and 1 were 
packing our motor home in 
Bassett, Va.. for a trip to 
Indiana when the phone call came 
from Cooperative Disaster Child Care 
(CDCC). Three more caregivers were 
needed on the Caribbean island of St. 
Croix to work with the victims of 
Hurricane IVIarilyn. Could I leave for 
St. Croix next morning? 

When I told Carl, he asked what 
CDCC was. and what I would be 
doing on St. Croix, hi my tailspin 
upon hearing duty call in the face of a 
pleasure trip. I didn't give him a 
detailed answer at the moment. What 1 
could have said is this: |an Thompson, 
director of Brethren Disaster Services 
(1978-1987), was on a disaster 
response in 1978 when he realized 
that the needs of children caught up in 
disasters were not being addressed. 
Seed for a new program was sown 
when the decision was made that chil- 
dren's needs should come first when 
disasters hit. 

Karen Doudt developed a curricu- 
lum to train caregivers and training 
workshops were conducted. The first 
trained disaster child care workers 
were sent out in 1980. 

In 1984. Cooperative Disaster Child 
Care was established as an ecumenical 
disaster response program working 
with the American Red Cross and the 
Federal Emergency Management 
Agency. CDCC utilizes volunteers, 
material and financial support from 
partner denominations, agencies, con- 
gregations, and concerned individuals. 

Roma lo Thompson served as direc- 
tor of CDCC 1983-1987. Lydia 
Walker is the current coordinator. In 
1995. CDCC returned to being solely 
a Church of the Brethren program, 
although it continues to work with 




other agencies. 

Carl, his memory refreshed, said. 
"Go." I abandoned the packing of our 
motor home and the trip to Indiana, 

I threw long pants, long-sleeved 
shirts, and other suggested necessities 
into a suitcase. But the temperature on 
St. Croi.x. I was told, would be in the 
90s, so I added a couple pairs of shorts 
and two short-sleeved T-shirts. (The 
second day on St. Croix. I cut off the 
long sleeves and long legs.) Of course. 
I packed plenty of insect repellant. 

My plane to St. Croix was crowded 
with disaster volunteers from manv 



Caregiver Fran Holcomb found that 
the best initial approach to winning 
the confidence of children was to sit 
on the floor near the registration table 
and be friendly and non-threatening. 
The approach usually worked, and 
the children were soon ready to sit on 
her knee and begin playing games. 

organizations, lean Myers, our pi'oject 
director, wearing her official CDCC 
blue-checked smock, met our flight. 
Our first stop was at the American 
Red Cross headquarters, where papers 
were filled out. blood pressures were 

Fchiujrv 1Q96 Messcnst'r 15 



lakcii. ;iik1 IxUtlcd water uas issued 
\\c also got a brici i.)rienlalit>ii. iiielinl- 
ing a dcscrijition ol the L'ondilioiis uc 
wore taeiiig. 

Motel aceoniodations. f'ai- superior 
to wliat 1 was braeed lor. were 
assigned. The eleetrieitx was still oil. 
so air-eoiiditioniiig and lans weren't 
working. We kept our doors open at 
night, to the (.lelighl ol ll\'ing and 
erawling inseels and e\en some erabs. 

Next da\ we got instruetions 
and were pareeled out to three 
ser\iee eenters on the island. 
That i.la\ and eaeh da\ thereafter was 
begun with our center's three workers 
forming a prayer cirele. A Red Cross 
worker joined us that first morning. 
Later, others joined the daily circle. 

A good feeling came from telling 
others we were Church of the Brethren 
vwimen. .'\lmost always, the response 
to that was "Oh. yes. the church of 
lo\e and sersice. We've worked with 
you before." All dignitaries \isiling the 
center were brought by our area and 
told that we were the "blue angels" 
who made the work easier, and that 
we were from the Church of the 
Brethren. Most of these visitors com- 
mented that they knew of the Chuich 
ol the Brethren and its reputation for 
ser\ice in dilterent parts ol the world. 

Nancy liarr, the leader ol our group, 
had set up our area a few days before 
our arrival. She staked out our claim 
in a hallway near all the activities, 
marking claim boundaries with chairs, 
cardboard, and a clothes line. She had 
provided a space tor us to guide orga- 
nized, therapeutic child jilay, 

A quiet area had books and soft toys. 
Frustrated children could be calmed at 
a table with paints, colors, paper, and 
coloring books. Those children could 
express their feelings about the hurri- 
cane through painting and drawing, or 
relieve stress by coloring pictures in the 
books. An active area had toy cars, 
including emergency vehicles. 'With 



these, the children could re-enact the 
tlisaster il they wished. There also was 
a table with Play- Doll, cutters, rolling 
pins, and other tools. The children 
could simply pound out their anger 
there or be creati\'e with the clay. The 
most acti\e area had a pan ol dry rice 
that children could just have fun with 
or re-enact the disaster. We had no 
electricity, so this busy scene was light- 
ed with Coleman lanterns. 

We caregi\ers pro\'ided lo\ing laps 
for the children who needed them, and 
a safe |ilace with interesting things to 
play w ith for tiie others. 'I'he great 
boon of disaster child care for parents 
is the Ireedoin it provides theni to wait 
in the long lines and go through inter- 
views and other processing without 
needing to drag their children along or 
to worry about them in their absence. 
The caseworkers were very apprecia- 
tive of the CDCC workers. We enabled 
them to work without interruption 
frcim the children. 

Lunch for CDCC workers was fur- 
nished by the Red Cross. Children 
who stayed for any length ol time 
received a snack and juice, also fur- 
nished by the Red Cross, The children 
liked that. What they didn't like was 
the portable potties, Yuck! 

.At the end of each day, our group ol 
CDCC workers assembled back at our 
motel restaurant for a buffet meal, fol- 
lowed by devotions and singing. 
People in the restaurant seemed to 
enjoy our singing and made favorable 
comments about our devotions, 
f^venings were given to personal 
chores such as laundry. 1 made an 
effort every night to take a walk along 
the beach, to be calmed by the 
rhythms of the ocean, to idly pick up 
shells, and to watch the fish l^y Hash- 
light. .Mler a night's sleep, I was up at 
5:50 a.m., ready for my exercises and 
another day as a caregiver. 

For me, each day's work was lun. I 
was interested in the children and 
enjoyed playing with them. (I even 



learned a universal term from them: 
"Beep, beep!") 

Most ol the children were apprehen- 
sive about leaving their parents and 
staying in our child care center. After 
being assured that they could see their 
parents from the play area, the chil- 
dren would reluctantly consent to be 
guided into some activity. Any child 
that could not be calmed and involved 
in |ilay activity was picked uyi by one 
ol us or taken by the hand, and 
returned to the parents. In most cases, 
just seeing the parents again and 
knowing they could stay with them 
were all the assurance the children 
needed lor returning to our area and 
its play activities. No children were 
kept against their will. 

The best initial apjiroach, I found, 
was to sit on the lloor near the regis- 
tration table and. while the parent reg- 
istered the child, to offer my hand, 
hold out a toy, or toss a bean bag, A 
welcoming smile worked wonders also. 

Three-year-old Pablo's grand- 
mother registered him. He 
watched me as I sal on the floor 
|ilaying, then shyly sat down beside 
me. We played tor a time, then he took 
my hand and led me to the paint sta- 
tion. As he painted, he had to be able 
to reach over and touch me. .And he 
made awesome roaring sounds as he 
|iainted. He would reach out and 
touch me. then return to painting. The 
|iicture was circles upon circles paint- 
ed with much force. 

rhen Pablo asked for another sheet 
o'i paper. His noise stopped, and he 
smiled as he painted two blue blobs. 
One blob had a white top with yellow 
around it; the other had a brown top 
with black around it. When 1 asked him 
to tell me about the painting, he seemed 
disgusted at my denseness. Pointing to 
the two blobs, he said, "This is you (the 
white -topped blob), and this is me (the 
brown-topped blob). See, 1 have my 
head on your shoulder," 



16 Messenger February t996 




Elsie Michael, a caregiver from 
Pennsylvania, uses techniques taught 
by Cooperative Disaster Child Care to 
win over children in her charge. 
CDCC ivorkers provide care for 
children while their parents work 
their way through redtape connected 
with applying for and receiving 
disaster aid. The workers also provide 
play therapy to help children work 
through the trauma of a natural 
disaster. Many children on St. Croix 
believed that Hurricane Marilyn 
resulted from people not praying hard 
enough. Si.x years ago. Hurricane 
Hugo had hit the island with 
devastating effect. 



I gave Pablo a big hug and asked 
him for the painting. He refused; he 
wanted to take it home. 

Most of the children talked calmly 
about the hurricane. One boy drew a 
picture of a rootless house. A stick fig- 
ure shedding two huge tears stood 
alone inside. The boy explained that 
when Marilyn struck, everyone except 
Daddy went to Grandma's. He was 
stubborn and stayed home. Marilyn 
blew the roof off. and Daddy was sad. 

Many of the children were con- 
vinced that the hurricane struck 
because the people did not pray. They 
said that after Hurricane Hugo in 
September 1989, people really prayed, 
and hurricanes that followed just 
sneezed and turned away. So when 
Marilyn was sighted, people thought 
she would sneeze and turn away, so 
they didn't pray. 

We had a tense day when we 
learned that Hurricane Pablo was 
headed toward St. Croix and, if it hit. 
it would be worse than Marilyn. The 
Red Cross was ready to fly all CDCC 
workers out, but most of us believed 
we were called to be there, and if 
Pablo struck, we would be needed 
more than ever. 

Jean Myers bought extra supplies 
and our work went on as usual. Many 
US churches held prayer vigils for our 




safety. The children told me that if we 
prayed, Pablo would sneeze and turn 
away. People prayed, and Pablo did 
pass St. Croix by. 

Ten Christian women provided love 
and care for 992 children over 2 1 days. 
Those children gave us lots of love and 
precious memories. My most treasured 
memory is of a small boy sitting on my 
lap. taking my face in both his hands, 
and saying. "You're an old lady, but 



you are the most fun." Then he gave 
me a great big hug and a sloppy kiss. 
It's okay for a caregiver to jid 
recei\e a little care, herself, isn't it'.' 



Aflcr a career en an cducalur in Indiana. Fran 
Hutfoml') retired lo her native town oj Bas^ett. 
\a.. where .v/ic' again is a member of Mount 
Hermon Cliureh of the Brethren. Since retire- 
ment, site has served as a teacher at Hillcresi 
School in Jos. \igeria. and this luist fall had her 
e.\perieiicc with CDCC on St. Croi.\ 



Fcbruaiv lO'-lo Mcs^L-iigcr 17 



by Donald R. Fitzkee 

When lie was a ho\ griAving 
up along the main thor- 
oughfare between Laneaster 
anil 1 larrisluirg. Pa., ["red Iknnhard's 
parents treciueiitly entertained unimited 
gue.sts. Word was out among the 
"hobos." as wandering tra\elers were 
known, that the Howard and l-lorenee 
Bernhard larm was a plaee to ix'eei\e a 
good meal and plaee to sta\. 

Tred enjoyed talking with the main 
\ isitors who came through his home, 
but he wondered what moti\ated his 
parents to extend their table. "Ontj day 
I asked my parents. 'Why do you do 
this?" The simple answer was: 
'Because of our faith."" 

Those early lessons in faith and hos- 
pitality wercn"t lost on the 1QQ6 
.Annual Conference moderator. He has 
since translated them into two suc- 
cessful pastorates in the Oakland con- 
gregation, near Gettysburg. Ohio; a 
doctoral dissertation; and now a 
Conference theme. 

"Hospitality is just who Fred is."" 
says moderator-elect David Wine. 

.And b\' this summer. Fred will ha\e 
written the book on the subject. His 
work, co-authored with Andrew Center 
consultant Ste\e Clapp, will describe 
how the practice of hos]-)itality has 
helped Oakland become one of the 
faster growing Brethren congregations. 

"The hospitality concept is borne out 
in the way he's been successful in his 
work. " notes Southern Ohio District 
exccutiNC lim Tomlonson. "What 
impresses me when I go to church at 
Oakland is that from the time my car 
enters the parking lot until I'm ready to 
go home, there is someone there seeing 
to my needs. You can go to many 
Brethren congregations on Sunday 
mornings and not even be greeted. At 
Oakland, hospitality is lived out." 




Fred Bernhard 



The results ha\e been eight solid 
years of sustained growth that has 
seen average worship attendance rise 
from 1 59 to 550. and the construction 
of a new sanctuary arid two new edu- 
cation wings during the JQQOs. Much 
ol it is due to the vision of Oakland's 
hospitable pastor. "Fred works out of 
vision and practicality." says |im, "He 
has the ability to keep vision out there, 
but he also has the ability to make the 
\isie)n practical." 

Surely Fred learned those early 
lessons about faith and hospitality 
down on the farm. but. at the time, his 
parents and others sometimes won- 
dered whether much Christian teach- 
ing was sinking in. 

Born in 1940, Fred grew up in the 
West Green Tree and I'lorin congrega- 
tions between Mount loy and 
HlizabethtovMi. Pa. When West Green 
'Free and Florin di\ided into separate 
congregations in 1954, Fred's lather, a 
free minister, became the moderator ol 
the new Fk)rin congregaticm. 

"I he mischievous ones in our 
church were the preachers' kids and 
deacons' kids," Fred recalls. As the 
moderator's son, Fred often took the 
lead in mischief. Fortunately, the elder 
Bernhard was a patient man who was 



"able to sec the humor in boys being 
boys,"" says Fred. 

Others encouraged Fred as well, 
including Brethren saint Anna Mow. 
.As F'red tells it. sister .Anna was speak- 
ing at an outdoor worship service at 
.Atlantic Northeast District's Camp 
Swalara. Fred and three Iriends from 
Florin plotted to sneak out of the ser- 
\ice for a smoke. They returned in 
time for lunch, apjiarently with no one 
the wiser for their absence, 

.A few years later, Fred met sister 
Anna again at a \outh camp. She said 
with a cackle. "I remember you. \ou 
were one oi the boys that sneaked out 
to smoke a cigarette." A few days later. 
Fred received a card in the mail: 
"I'xpecting great things from you. In 
his strength, .Anna." 

.After studying agriculture in high 
school. Fred rented a farm northeast 
of Mount |oy and began farming. But 
God's call intervened. 

"1 felt this tremendous call to go into 
ministry,"" says Fred, "and spent a lot 
of sleepless nights o\er that." Before 
long, the Florin congregation sched- 
uled a vote for a minister. Fred's call 
was confirmed, when he and another 
young man were chosen in an open 
election, Fred was 19 at the time. 



18 Messenger February IIQb 



'The devil has hoodwinked the Brethren into majoring on 

minors, ' says Annual Conference moderator Fred 

Bernhard. Instead of arguing about Christ, we need to lift 

him up as head of the church and proclaim him as the 

Son of God who draws people into the kingdom. ' 

hospitality is the path 



After attending Elizabethtown 
College tor two years, Fred tested his 
wings during a nine-month interim 
pastorate in the Mount Hermon con- 
gregation near Bassett, Va. Convinced 
of his call to pastoral ministry. Fred 
returned to be ordained at Florin in 
1962. Along the way. he served briefly 
as a free minister in the congregation, 
and as a youth cabinet member. 

From there he accepted a pastorate 
in the Pleasant View and Sharpsburg 
congregations, a yoked parish in cen- 
tral Maryland. Plans were to pastor 
while completing his college education 
at nearby Shepherd College. Fred 
didn't obtain a diploma during his 
three years in Maryland, but he did 
find a wife and family. 

He married [oice Burall in November 
1964. A widow, she was the mother of 
three children, ages 12. 9. and 8. "We 
both feel God brought us together." 
says loice. Resigned to raising her chil- 
dren alone. |oice "wasn't really look- 
ing" for a husband. But district execu- 
tive Arthur Scrogum determined that 
loice would make a good pastor's wife, 
matched the two up. and eventually 
performed the ceremony. 

When Fred — who is only 1 2 years 
older than the oldest child — attempted 



to adopt, however, county officials 
balked. Only an interview with the 
children convinced a judge to permit 
the adoption. "After hearing the story 
from the children." the judge told Fred 
and loice. "I ha\e no choice; I must 
grant the adoption." 

"They really adopted me." says Fred 
of his children. Barbara. Howard, and 
Tom. "I truly do have a family. I don't 
know any father who is loved more 
than I am." 

Fred refers to loice as "the quiet 
strength behind everything I do" and 
"the light of my life." District execu- 
tive Jim Tomlonson observes. "I don't 
know of many pastor/ spouse relation- 
ships as healthy as theirs." Both 
Bernhards stress the important role 
that family — including seven grand- 
children and two great-grandchil- 
dren — plays in their lives. 

in lune 1965, Fred and his family 
moved to lohnstown. Pa.. v\here Fred 
pastored the MorrelKille congregation 
for more than three years. While in 
lohnstown, he was elected to Standing 
Committee, and subsequently became 
chairman of Standing Committee's 
Nominating Committee. Thus began 
many years of involvement with 
Annual Conference. 



In 1968. Fred took his family to 
Ohio's Miami Valley, where he 
became pastor at Oakland. During the 
16-year pastorate, the congregation 
experienced growth and so did the 
pastor. "They really raised me." says 
Fred. At the congregation's urging, 
Fred earned a college equivalency 
degree and completed his Master of 
Divinity degree at nearby Earlham 
School of Religion in 1977. He added 
a Doctor of Ministry from Bethany 
Theological Seminary in 1982. His 
doctoral thesis focused on hospitality. 

Along the way Fred also accepted 
responsibilities in the district and 
denomination. He served on district 
board and was Southern Ohio District 
moderator 1978-1979. In 1980. he 
was elected to the General Board, 
spending three years on the Pension 
Board Executive Committee and two 
years on the General Board Executive 
Committee. He also served as vice- 
chairman of the Board. A later stint 
on the Brethren Benefit Trust Board 
was cut short by his election as mod- 
erator-elect. 

Fred says of his General Board ser- 
vice. "1 really learned a lot from that 
experience. It was an eye-opener in 
helping me see the quality of dedica- 



Fcbr 



li^Pt) .Mess-cngL-r 19 



lion ot people ulio uork lor us and 
the uniqueness ot wiio we are as a 
denomination. " 

I'red also has had some other good 
training tor the nuKleratorshiii. Sinee 
the late KlbOs. he has been a fixture at 
Conlerenee. serving lor several \ears 
as head teller, and more reeently as 
head messenger, t'aeilitating the work 
Lit' C\>nl'erenee b\ tracking down, on a 
moment's notice, whoever is needed. 

loice. who also has served as a 
Conlei'ence teller, says that one of 
I'red's qualitieations lor the messenger 
job is that "he doesn't sit well." 
Another is his ama/ing abiiitv to recall 
names and laces. "He seems to know 
a tremendous number ot people." says 
David Wine. "You start talking about 
anybodv. and he sa\s. 'Oh. he's relat- 
ed to so-and-so and so-antl-so.'" Fred 
claims to have traced his own 
I5rethren roots back 1 1 generations. 

"He has a gilt of name recall and 
learning to know connections with 
peojile." sa\s Bob Mikesell. a long- 
time friend and Oakland member. 
"It's amazing how he can How 
through the congregation and remem- 
ber names." Bv the same token, says 
Bob. "Everybody knows Fred." Bob 
hates to eat out with his pastor 
because ol the constant stream of 
people who interrupt them to say 
hello. "It's very distracting!" 

Cars are one thing people talk about 
with Fred. "His hobby is anything with 
a motor." says |oice. Fred eniovs tin- 
kering with motors on the family's si.x- 
acre farmette. .And he loves selling 
cars. Not for profit, just for fun. 

The car-selling began back in 
Marviand when joice's brother-in-law- 
owned a Pontiac dealership and Fred 
began pairing church members with 
Pontiacs. "Now I'm in cahoots with the 
local dealer (in nearby Greenville)." 
savs [-red with a grin. 

"He doesn't get a commission." 
loice points out. "He just thoroughly 
enjoys selling cars." WTien the time 
comes to buy another car. many 
Brethren talk to Fred first to see what 




vehicle he recommends. In the 
process, the local dealer has become 
sold on the Oakland congregation and 
is now a member. 

Alter lb years at Oakland. Fred 
left behind congregation and 
car clientele to return home to 
eastern I'ennsylvania. He accepted the 
pastorate at the Mechanic Grove con- 
gregation near Quarrvville in l<^84. But 
he soon learned that tiie Miami \ alley 
really had become home. The absence 
of their family, most of whom remained 
at Oakland, coupled with the fact that 
Fred and Mechanic Grove weren't a 
perfect match, pulled the Bernhards 
back toward Ohio. But Fred and loice 
never dreamed of returning to the same 
congregation. 

Through a set of circumstances, 
however, that's exactlv what happened. 
In 1988. Fred began his second pas- 
torate at Oakland. 

"There are few pastors who can 
return to a congregation they already 
have served." says |im Tomlonson. 
"and pick up from there and not 
rehash the same old stuff. Fred's one 
of the rare persons who could pull that 
off. He came back new and fresh and 
readv to move." 




During his four-and-a-half-year 
absence, both Fred and the Oakland 
congregation had changed — but in the 
same direction. Both were more com- 
mitted to reaching out and growing. 
Fred had sharpened his thinking on 
visionary leadership and practical ways 
for congregations to practice hospitality 
so that new people would feel welcome. 

"He has always exemplified a gen- 
uineness and caring in his meeting of 
people." says Bob Mikesell. Whether 
they be teachers, farmers, or public 



20 .Messenger February 199b 



Page 18: Fred demonstrates 
his friendly, welcoming 
pastoral style with Oakland 
members. 

Left: Fred and his wife, Joice. 
have long been familiar to 
Annual Conferencegoers as 
tellers. 

Right: The team of Anne 
Myers (secretary), David 
Wine (moderator-elect), and 
Fred Bernhard (moderator) 
will handle the business of 
the Cincinnati Annual 
Conference. 

Below: Seen here baptizing a 
new Oakland member, Fred 
pastors a rapidly growing 
congregation. 





otiiciali. "lie seems to relate well to 
all of them." 

And the congregation has followed 
the pastor's lead. "The whole congrega- 
tion has caught the vision," says Fred. 
"This congregation is an alive, enthusi- 
astic, welcoming congregation that is 
doing it in the name of lesus Christ." 

During one six-week stretch last fall 
when Fred was away from the congre- 
gation, seven new families began 
attending the church. All are now 
enrolled in a class for potential new 



members. One family attended wor- 
ship for si.x weeks without meeting the 
pastor, a good indication that 
Oakland's growth is a team effort. 

Fred insists that Oakland isn't 
unusual. "We are a typical country 
Brethren congregation with a church 
house sitting out in a cornfield." The 
difference is that it has taken seriously 
the biblical command to practice hos- 
pitality. "Scripture doesn't say, 'Do 
hospitality so you will grow,'" says 
Fred. "But if the church practices hos- 
pitality, I believe it will grow." 

That's the message that Fred has 
been communicating in his modera- 
tor's travels, and the one he hopes to 
convey through the Annual Conference 
theme, "As Christ welcomed you . . . , " 
based on Romans 15:7. That verse 
says, "Welcome one another, there- 
fore, just as Christ has welcomed you, 
for the glory of God" (NRSV). 

"My intention in using this scripture 
verse is to help the church focus on 
how it can reach out in the name of 
(esus Christ to a hurting world." says 
Fred. The verse advocates welcoming, 
accepting, and affirming one another. 
"If you think about it." he says, "that 
is the core foundation of what any of 
us want to experience when we enter a 



house of worship — both by 
our God and the people we 
are worshiping with." 

Fred related the stories of 
three Brethren congrega- 
tions he visited in recent 
years. In one, he was inter- 
rogated — asked why he 
was there. In another, he 
was asked to move out of 
someone else's seat. And in 
a third, no one spoke to 
him the whole morning. 
"To have that happen in the 
Church of the Brethren," 
Fred says passionately, "is 
an abomination to the 
Christ we serve." 

Reflecting on the state of 
the larger church. Fred 
observes, "1 think the devil 
has hoodwinked the Brethren into 
majoring on minors." such as sexuali- 
ty and other controversial issues that 
have commanded the church's atten- 
tion. "1 feel that the primary job for 
the church of |esus Christ and the 
Church of the Brethren is to proclaim 
the good news in word and deed. 
Instead of arguing about Christ, we 
need to lift him up as head of the 
church and proclaim him as the Son 
of God who draws people into the 
kingdom." 

And once Christ draws them, it is 
the church's job to make them feel at 
home, just as Christ welcomed us. 
That has been the secret to Fred's and 
the Oakland congregation's success, 
which will be described in Fred's book 
to be released at Annual Conference. If 
you want details on how to practice 
hospitality, Fred says, "Buy the bookl" 
And watch the moderator in action. 
After all, he wrote the book on iA^ 
hospitality. ' ' 

Donald R. Fitzkae is a minisler in Cliiqiies 
Churcli oj the Brethren. Manheim. Pa., and eltair- 
inaii of the General Board's General Seniees 
Commission. He ivas an editorial assistant with 
Messengfr, 1986- I9SS. His book Moving 
Toward the Mainstream: 20th Century Change 
.Among the Brethren of Eastern Penns\l\ania tvas 
published by Good Books in 1 995. 



February I'^Qb Messenger 21 



Does the future have 



by Paul Mundey 

Algebra, lusl ihc mention ol that 
xvord is like ilngei'iiails seraleli- 
ing aeross a slate blaekhoard. 
I'ieluie the seene: Ninth gratie. South 
1 lagersiown lligh Seliool. Thirly-fne 
students bantering about in the ekiss- 
room. .And then there am I. huddled at 
m\ desk, seared to death. "Muni-le). I 
need to see you." Mr. LXillabaum 
boomed. .As my teaeher. he knew my 
algebra reeord uell: a C the lirst mark- 
ing period, a D the seeond marking 
period, and now an F the third mark- 
ing period. "See those people i.>\er 
there," he barked, pointing to his 
junior eollege evening elass. "You'll 
never make it there il you don't buekle 
down here. Boy. do you want a future? 
Tlien you've got to get this stuff!" 

Well. I never did. lust ask my kids. 
They W(.)uldn't even think of eeiming to 
me with their math homework! But 
Mr. Dullabaum's words ditl push nie 
on. as I squeaked through algebra, 
bouiul and determined to have a 
tomorri.nv . The result'.' .A magna euni 
laude eollege degree. No. not in math, 
but in history. And the diseovery that 
tiiere was something very jarring, but 
also very motivating, about an imeer- 
tain. questionable future. 

As the ehureh. we are moving into a 
similar reality. .V sean of the nighllv 
news tells us that we are living in tran- 
sitional. t|uestionablc times. Frankly, 
our future as an established institution 
is uneertain. as v\e shift from a 
ehurehed eulture in the United States, 
to an unehurehed. seeular eulture. 
Consider these statisties: In IQbO. 80. b 
percent of American children lived with 
both a father and mother. In 1QQ5 that 
figure is only 57.7 percent. In IQbU. 
use of illegal drugs by high school stu- 
dents was largely unheard of. In IQQ5. 
Rolling Slone magazine reports, over 
45 percent of high school seniors have 
utilized some form of illegal drugs. 

We are no longer the only show in 
town. Competing, secular inlluenees 
are penetrating even Brethren country. 

22 Messenger Fcbruarv 1 99b 



The question is not 

whether the church 

will have a future, 

but will the future 

have a church? Will 

those caught in a 

secular value system 

have opportunity to 

discover the grace, 

freedom, and justice 

^'^ of Christ? 



There was a time when growing up in 
Lititz. Pa.. Broadway. Va.. or 
McPherson. Kan., meant growing up 
Christian. That might not be the case 
anymore. .As Paul Dietterich oi the 
Center tor Parish Development has 
noted: "While Western societies were 
nourished in their roots in Christianity, 
they ai'c now disconnected from those 
origins. Where once eulture was the 
church's allv'. now it is iu)t. The 
church has been 'disestablished' and 
relegated to the edges of societv ." 

Phrasing it another way. the mission 
fiekl has moved: it is no longer over 
there (overseas), the mission Held is 
now over here — right on our doorstep. 

Such truth is jarring, but it can also 
be propelling, launching us toward a 
new reascm for being. .As Dietterich 
goes on to say. "The transition from the 
former 'establishment' church to a new 
and different identity and role — a 'mis- 
sional' church — can be a creative and 
energizing time, a time ol rediscovering 
God's redemptive purposes and of par- 
ticipating in God's transforming activity 
in the midst of human life and history." 

Translation: we can wake up from 
cozv. interior frameworks to a new 



identitv. a missional identity. We can 
begin to e.\ist. not primarilv for our- 
selves — for our nurture, our edifica- 
tion, our benefit — but for the nurture, 
edillcation and benefit of others. .As 
Paul affirms in liphesians 3. "Although 
I am the very least of all the saints, this 
grace was given to me to bring to the 
Gentiles the news of the boundless 
ilches of Clirist. and lu make everyone 
see what is the plan of the mystery hid- 
den ... in God ... so that through the 
church tlie w isdom of God . . . might 
now be known to the rulers and 
authorities ..." (Iqih. 3:8-10). 

It is not our future that is para- 
mount, but the future of the Gentiles, 
tlie future of those outside our walls. 
The question is not will the church will 
have a future, but will the future have 
a church'.' Will those caught in a secu- 
lar value system have opportunity to 
discover the grace, freedom, and jus- 
tice of Christ? Wifl those caught in a 
secular "reward" system have opportu- 
nity to know the community and 
accountability of the Christian church? 

They will, from my perspective, if we 
alter our mindset, moving from atrophy 
to adventure, from rigidness to rele- 
vance, and from hostility to hospitality. 

From atrophy to adventure 

First, the future will have a 
church, if we move from atrophy 
to adventure. There is a lot of 
truth in the phrase "Use it or lose it." 
This is painfully true in our household 
as my wife reminds me of the contrast 
betw ecu my physique and that of my 
son. Peter. .As an active, athletic ado- 
lescent. Peter boasts a physique of 
broad shoulders and rippling muscles. 
I. on the other hand, as an inactive, 
middle-aged couch potato, reflect the 
physique of a bag of potatoes. 

I don't think I am alone. A lot of us 
are out of shape, not only physically 
but emotionally, intellectually, and 
spiritually. I recently advanced the the- 
ory that a central reason congregations 
are not changing is that the people in 
those congregations are not changing. 



I church? 



For many of us. the process of learn- 
ing stopped at a high school or college 
graduation platform. 

The law of ecological learning 
relates to this premise. It is commonly 
expressed through the formula L>C. 
This postulate states that in order for 
an organism to survive (let alone 
change or grow), the rate of learning 
must be equal to or greater than the 
rate of change in the environment. 

Unfortunately, the rate of learning in 
many congregations is virtually 
insignificant. Not only are we not 
changing, we are barely maintaining 
the status quo. The result is atrophy at 
best, white-knuckle survival at worst. 
Many church futurists are calling for a 
switch, in this regard, from transac- 
tional to transformational styles of 
teaching and learning. The difference 
is summarized in the chart below, 
modified from material first supplied 
by Leadership Network. 

For me, we gather as the church for 
one primary purpose: life-change. As 
Christ-followers, our central concern 
is not the acquisition of information, 
or socializing or continuing a family 
tradition. We sojourn as the people of 
God — primarily — to change toward 
the likeness and stature of Christ; to 
become different people: to expand 
our minds, enlarge our hearts, and 
! extend our spirits. 

An experience of growth and life- 
change in Christ opens life up toward 
a wonderful array of new possibilities. 
A sense of new possibilities, in turn, 
empowers people, which is the ulti- 
mate goal of any vital church. As avia- 
tor Brooke Knapp once affirmed. 



"There are two kinds of people: those 
paralyzed by fear and those who are 
afraid, but go ahead anyway. Life isn't 
about limitations, it's about options." 

Paul Murphy, the famous chess play- 
er, was once browsing through an art 
museum. As he did. he encountered a 
painting titled "Checkmate!" The 
painting pictures a young man playing 
chess with the devil. The young man is 
clearly distressed as he finds himself 
checkmated with no apparent way out. 
Talking to a nearby guard, Murphy 
learned that chess player after chess 
player had studied the chess board in 
the painting and come to a similar con- 
clusion: The young man was without 
options. Murphy decided to study the 
board himself, staring at the painting 
for over 50 minutes. Suddenly, he 
pointed to the young man. and blurted 
out: "\bu still have a move! "^'ou still 
have a move!" 

Our challenge is to create an envi- 
ronment so compelling that life opens 
up for people. So much in society 
closes life down for people, narrowing 
and hoarding options. The new com- 
munity in Christ — the church — on the 
other hand, breaks possibilities wide 
open, empowering people to walk 
toward adventure and fulfillment in 
ways hardly imagined. 

From rigidness to relevance 

The future also will have a church 
if we move from rigidness to 
relevance. It's amazing how we 
become trapped in a narrow, familial 
world view. 

In addressing a recent Consultation 
on Ministrv Training;, educator 



Transactional style 


Transformational style 


Focus on facts H 
Feedback: test for retention 
Linear, sequential 
Content/doctrine/beliefs 
Goal is knowledge transfer ,; 


Focus on life sldlls/relevance 
Feedback: test for application 
Experiential, relationship based 
Felt needs/ministry/maturity 
Goal is change of behavior 



Barbara Wheeler called attention to 
the Church of the Brethren's tradition- 
al dependence on ethnic cohesion. 
Much of our identity, Wheeler 
observed, has been based on common 
family ties, common Germanic roots, 
and common generational loyalty to 
"be Brethren." In a secular, post- 
Christian culture, however, all that has 
changed: "Most Americans do not feel 
strong bonds to the traditions in which 
they were raised. No longer is my 
identity in some permanent way 
Presbyterian, Nazarene, or even 
Catholic. 1 go to a local church, not 
because 1 was born into it, but because 
1 like it and it happens to be 
Presbyterian, or Nazarene, or Church 
of the Brethren. Religion is no longer 
an old family recipe, handed down 
over the generations. Americans are 
free, even expected, to survey the 
whole religious smorgasbord and 
choose whatever denominational dish 
most appeals to them." 

Concluding. Wheeler goes on to 
counsel: "Congregations ot the Church 
of the Brethren as well as other 
Protestant denominations, have a 
future only if they remake themselves. 
In the next decade, congregations 
must present those born into the 
church with compelling reasons to stay 
into adulthood, because family and 
ethnic ties will not hold them." 

It is important to affirm that reinven- 
tion and reconstruction are possible. 
We cwi move beyond narrow, familial 
understandings and explore fresh per- 
spectives on faith, life, and godliness. 
New structures, new music, new events, 
new programs, new attitudes, and new 
risks can all come into view. 

For example, we can begin to incor- 
porate the music of more than one 
generation into congregational life. In 
most Brethren communities, there are 
two Christian radio stations. One plays 
more traditional, meditative Christian 
music, the other plays more contem- 
porary, celcbrative Christian music. A 
value judgment should not be placed 
on either. Yet in many congregations, 

February l'-1'5li ^k•^^engL'r 23 



a worship wav ol sorts is taking place 
between these musical expressions. Is 
such contlict really necessar\? Can't 
\alue be attached to either nuisical 
idiom'.' W'liN do we need to be uptight 
touard \aried artistic forms'.' 

In the words ot Thomas Troeger ol 
lllif School o( Theology, the issue bib- 
licailv is not whether a particular 
music or worship form exists. The 
book o\ Psalms, for example, is filled 
with a wide variety of worshiji instru- 
ments and artistic expressions. The 
real issue scripturall\ is this: Is our 
music or worship expression marked 
by ciiialiiy'! Is it done well, with class. 
poise, and intentionalitx'.' 

Some o\ us need to lighten up a bit. 
allowing a new range ot quality, artis- 
tic exjiression in the church — not at 
the expense o\ the old. but as an addi- 
tional \ehicle for God's marvelous 
message ol lite. 

From hostility to hospitality 

In addition, the luture has a church 
as we move from hostilitv to hospi- 
talitv. We will never reach the mis- 
sion lield around us wiiluail a sjiirit t,>l 
openness and genuine welcome toward 
the stranger. 

Changes in society have made the 
need for triendlv. hospitable congrega- 
tions especially urgent. .At one lime 
"welcome home friendliness" was a 
regular jtart of what we knew as small- 
town .\merica. However, in Itidav's 
fast-paced urbanized cullure. we use 
l^eople instead of relating to them. The 
result is leelings ol loneliness, alien- 
ation, and disconnection. 

A recent article in the luiinhil of 
DciiiiK-nuy sported a pi'ovocalive title 
"lk)wling Alone: America's Declining 
Social Capital." The author ot this 
piece. Robert D. Putnam, documents 
an alarming tendencv tor .Americans to 
sociallv disengage. For example, frater- 
nal organizations have witnessed a sub- 
stantial drop in membership in the "SOs 
and 'QOs. Since I97Q. membership in 
the Elks has declined 18 percent, inem- 
bership in the Shriners has declined 21 
percent, and membership in the jaycees 
has declined 44 percent. Putnam's most 
whimsical example is the decline of 



bowling leagues: ".More Americans are 
bowling today than ever before, but 
Ixnvling in organized leagues has iilum- 
mcietl in the last decade or so. Between 
1^)80 and IQQj. the t^otal numlier of 
bowlers in .America increased by 10 
percent, while leaguelbowling 
decreased 40 percent .... The rise of 
solo-bowling threatens the livelihood of 

We will never reach 

the mission field 
ai^ound us without a 

spirit of openness 

and genuine welcome 

toward the stranger. 



bowiing-lane proprietors because those 
who bowl as members of leagues con- 
siniie three times as much beer and 
pizza as solo bowlers .... The broader 
social significance, luwever. lies in the 
social interaction . . . that solo bowlers 
lorgo . . ." 

This trend toward solo-bowling is 
illustrative ot growing social disengage- 
ment across society and the tendency 
of many to cocoon, si")iraling down- 
waid into lives ot cjuiet desperation. 

liow are we responding to this soci- 
etal trend'.' Are we aware of the 
stranger in our midst'.' Do we encour- 
age social connectedness in congrega- 
tional lite'.' Do we personally go out u\ 
our way to engage anil welcome per- 
sons'.' Do we care for newcomers, 
jierhaps through a handshake, a card 
or a V isit'.' 

Ired Bernhard tells of being in one 
ol our larger Church ot the Brethren 
congregations, before his tenure and 
visibility as moderator. As he moved 
through the church toward an empty 
pew, no one acknowledged his |ires- 
ence. Determined to have some human 
contact betbre worship, Bernhard went 
up to a church member and extended 
his right hand. "Good morning. I'm 
Fred Bernhard. I'm glad to be with 



you this mcirning." Without missing a 
beat, the other partv replied. "Wliat 
are you iloiiii; here'.'" 

I.ukewarmness has turned to cyni- 
cism — even hostility — in many of our 
congregations. We are called, however, 
as a biblical people, toward a new civili- 
ty, that not only tolerates, but embraces 
even the stranger. .As the writer of 
Flebrews reminds us, "Let mutual love 
continue. Do not neglect to show hos- 
pitalitv to strangers, tor by doing that 
some have entertained angels without 
kiu)vving it" (Heb. 13:1-2). 

,A pastor visited a Coptic monastery. 
It was in the middle o\' the desert, 
about a dav's journey trom Cairo, 
Fgv'pt, The monks treated him like roy- 
altv. They served him a wonderful 
meal, showed him to the best of rooms, 
and brought him a bouquet of flowers. 
He was then personally greeted by the 
abbot o( the monastery. Father 
leiemiah. "WovvT" said the pastor, 
""^ou sure know hcnv to treat visitors.'" 
Father leremiah replied, "We always 
treat guests as if they are angels — just 
to be safe." .And so should we. 

The world is changing at an alarming 
rate. Twentv-two percent ot the popu- 
lation do not remember the .American 
Bicentennial Celebration. Twenty-three 
percent ot the population assume that 
people have always been on the moon. 
Fifty percent of the population are too 
young to remember the assassination 
of lohn F. Kennedy. Sixty-six percent 
ol the population are not old enough to 
remember the Ixoivan War. .And 85 
|iercent of the population are not old 
enough to remember the I Q29 stock 
market crash. 

On such a swirling, changing planet, 
will the church have a future'.' In light 
ot this discussion, however, we know 
the question really is: Will the future 
have a church'.' .As Lancaster, Rocking- 
ham, and McPherson Counties, for 
example, become increasingly secular 
in the next decade, will there be con- 
gregations that reach out rather than 
retreat into holy huddles',' 

The church is really the last great 
hope tor the world, .As we gather in 
Christian communities, we are han- 
dling some incredibly powerful, trans- 



24 Messenger F-'ebruarv 199b 



formational stuff. But we are largely 
unaware of its potential influence. 
Barbara Brown Taylor tells of a man 
who was deeply moved by one of her 
sermons. As a result, he was going to 
quit his job on Monday: he was going 
to sell his car: he was going to change 
his life. "'Good grief. I thought to 
myself," Taylor comments. "It was 
only a sermon. Sleep on it. Go get a 
cup of coffee." 

All this church stuff, Taylor goes on 
to say, is too familiar to us, "We are 
old friends with the Word by now and 
we have forgotten its power. We read 
scripture out loud as though we are 
reading income tax instructions to 
each other . . . There is nothing to get 
excited about . . . . " 

"The Word that created heaven and 
earth, the Word that became flesh and 
dwelt among us. the Word that blew 
through an upper room and set believ- 
ers' heads on fire," Taylor concludes, 
"that Word is still loose in a world that 
cannot contain it, still seeking those 
who will hear it, and speak it — waking 
sleepers, freeing prisoners, and raising 
the dead , . . . " 

Governments can try to legislate pub- 
lic decency. Welfare agencies can try to 
alleviate social despondency. But only 
Christ, through the community of the 
church, can transform human depravity. 

Perhaps that is why Paul is so ecstat- 
ic in the concluding verses of 
Ephesians 5: "I pray that you may have 
the power to comprehend . . . what is 
the breadth and length and height and 
depth, and to know the love of Christ 
that surpasses knowledge . . . The 
power at work within us is able to 
accomplish abundantly far more than 
all we can ask or imagine, to him be 
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus 
to all generations . . ." (Eph. 5:18-21). 

Will the future have a church? Will 
the future have an alternative to the 
violence, confusion, and chaos perme- 
ating secular society? It will if we 
adopt the outlook of outreach, the 
mindset of mission, the attitude of an 
adventurous, relevant, hospitable IT^ 
people. 

Paul Mundty is director of Evangelism on the 
Parish Ministries Commission staff. 



Is your church looking 
for better returns? 

Today, good stev\ardship requires new inveMment 
.strategies. Since 1^)90, our professional managers 
have produced an average annual return of 119 °o in 
our balanced fund In contrast, the returns on CDs for 
the same period averaged about S 2 "o If you are 
searching for sound managemeni for )t)ur congrega- 
tion's endowment and reserve ftmds, the Bretliren Found.ition ma\' be the answer 
For information call Mark Pitman, Director, at l-800-7-i6-1505 

Brethren Foundation, Inc. 

1505 Dundee Avenue, El^nn, Illinois tiOI20 





BFI Balanced Fund 
11.9% 



Average CDs 
5.2% 



"There is a trust 
relationship on the part 
of M AA. They support 
the on-going efforts of 
the church." 



Jim Garber 

Congregational Representative 

N Manchester IN 



Are you paying too much for your homeowner's 
insurance and not getting the service you deserve? 

Call 
1-800-255-1243 

for a quote 

or write us at: 

Mutual Aid Association 

Church of the Brethren 

3094 Jeep Rd 

Abilene KS 67410 

Insurance protection exclusively for Brethren 

churches, homes, farms & renters I^L 

Fax: 1-800-238-7535 /til 



February 199b Messenger 25 



Seed-corn stewardship 



cliarilics alter ihc donoi's ilcalli. A lai'g- 
cr percentage in stock iiieivases the 
pcissibilit\' ol botli gfowtli of |iiiiiei|ial 



bv Wilfred E. Nolen 

riie message was written on a liall sheet 
cit uiinklec! nc>te pajief: 'i^u\ 
mote gicAuh ei.|uities kii- cnir 
(eiiarilabie reinainder) uiii- 
trust." it was written b\ 
W'iliiani Caltle and given to me 
follow ingtlie 1995 Brethren 
Benelll Trust retiree dinner at 
the (.'haiiotte Annual 
Conlerenee. That was the last 
time 1 saw Bill. Ide died unex- 
pectedls in October but not 
belore the l^rethren Foundation 
purchased more stock with 
assets ol the unitrust that Bill 
and his wile. Miriam, estab- 
lished lor their personal and 
charitable interests. 

A conser\ing lifestyle. I was 
not surprised b\ the medium 
or the message. Bill communi- 
cated lorthrightly, clearly, and 
often. \\c' were aeeustomed to 
receiving short notes hom him 
on paper saved Irom another 
era. written in longhand or 
tvped on a manual tvpewriter 
with a dry ribbon, and mailed 
in used envelopes. The Cables 

enjoyed a conserving litestvle Miriam and Bill Cable worked hard, lived simply, invested 
that, they said, "doesn't need a wisely, and used their assets to support the work of others. 
lot of income to support; the 




less we spend on ourselves, the more 
we can donate for worthy causes." 
This eonvielion was an important 
ingredient in their philanthroiiy. But 
Bill was lar Irom conservative in linan- 
cial management. On jirevious occa- 
sions, he had asked us to be more 
aggressive in our asset allocation, but 
in liis latest note the words had greater 
urgency. 

Aggressive investments. Normally, 
the trustee of a charitable remainder 
unitrust, the estate instrument used bv 
the Cables, would invest conservatively 
in bonds, bills, and CDs with only mod- 
est amounts of stock. This approach 
assures steady payout to the donor and 
preserves the principal for designated 

26 Messenger February IQ'Jb 



and pavout ol returns to the donor. The 
heavier stock emphasis, iiowever, may 
result in lower returns in years of poor 
]ierformanee. Choosing growth equities 
represents a greater risk. 

15ill was willing to take that risk 
because he knew the high -growth vears 
would more than make up for the vears 
of low growtli and loss. But for Bill it 
was more than a strategy to make more 
money. It was an essential aspect of his 
understanding of stewardship: Those 
wIk) iiave been blessed with llnancial 
resources should help them grow to 
significantly greater resources. That 
commitment to stewardship requires 
"reasoned risk." best achieved through 
a well-diversified portfolio of domestic 



aiul international equities. History 
slu)ws this strategy will generate, on 
av erage. 10-15 percent a year over a 

seven- to 10-year period, more 
than any other investment 
option with "reasoned risk." 
I'or Bill, this approach was the 
anchor of his finaneial man- 
agement and stewardship. 
Commitment to social 
responsibility. A further 
aspect ol his stewardship was 
the blending of faith and 
social principles with invest- 
ment choices. Bill sc)ught to 
uphold the values of the 
Church ol the Brethren in his 
investments. This meant not 
investing in companies that 
preiduee military armaments, 
alcohol and tobacco products, 
gaming equipment and activi- 
ties, and, during the 1980s, 
companies doing business in 
South Africa. Bill believed the 
avoidance ol sueh companies 
was an im|iortant witness and, 
even though it limited his 
investment universe, it would 
not significantly impair per- 
formance, lie was right. 

Bill lound in the Brethren 
Foundation an investment pro- 
gram that met all of his invest- 
ment and pertormanee criteria, includ- 
ing the social restrictions. Interestingly, 
another agency that manages a second 
unitrust for the Cables did not have 
these restrictions. Bill considered with- 
drawing his trust assets, but decided 
instead to use them to leverage the 
changes he sought. He asked the 
Brethren Foundation to assist the 
agency to make these changes. 

Giving that challenges others. Using 
assets to leverage change or to generate 
more money has been a favorite strate- 
gy of the Cables and another important 
facet of their stewardship. Here their 
background as seed-corn farmers is 
influential. Productive seed corn is the 
result of the cross-pollination of many 



seed varieties that produces a hybrid 
seed superior to any of its components. 
So it is with giving. Many gifts com- 
bined are necessary to achieve the 
objectives of charitable agencies. The 
Cable brand of seed-corn stewardship 
often involved a commitment of seed 
money to be paid only after certain 
matching conditions were met. Using a 
gift to leverage another gift achieves at 
least three stewardship values: Many 
donors participate, thereby reducing the 
financial burden on each, more money 
is raised, and a donor base is estab- 
lished for future projects. 

To be sure, leveraged giving, or gifts 
with strings attached, may initially be 
an irritant to a recipient agency; the 
conditions often require increased 
work and a reordering of priorities for 
fund-raising staff. But in the long run. 
it is a successful strategy, and the 
Cables used it effectively. 

A broad witness. Diversified giving 
is a final characteristic of the Cables' 
stewardship. For them, just as diversifi- 
cation is an essential investment strate- 
gy for safety and return, it is equally 
important in giving. The Cables believe 
in the work of many charitable agen- 
cies, especially those associated with 
the Church of the Brethren and Rotary 
International. Spreading their giving 
among multiple agencies gives expres- 
sion for their broad witness. Coupled 
with the seed-money approach, diversi- 
fied giving assures that their gifts are 
multiplied more than if concentrated 
among a few. Also, giving large sums 
tends to create dependency on one or a 
few donors, not healthy for the longer 
range development of an agency. 
Agencies benefiting from the Cables' 
philanthropy include congregations, 
hospitals, foundations, districts, nation- 
al boards, retirement homes, colleges 
and the seminary, and projects such as 
Polio Plus and Trees for the Future. 

To those who have received financial 
support from the Cables, or who may 
receive support in the future, know 
that the gifts come from a devout cou- 



From tie kmi kmk] 

Behold, I make all things new 

February 5-4 will see the gathering of the National Leadership Council for 
"Behold, I make all things new," a General Board financial campaign that 
will take place across the church in 1 966. The title is a reference to 
Revelation 21:5. in which God speaks about the new heaven and the new 
earth. "Behold" is one of three vigorous responses the General Board is 
making to the challenges that now face denominational programs. 

The first response is to redesign programs according to a new vision that 
is more supportive of congregational life and that is more cost efficient than 
is now the case. Eventually redesign will mean program reductions. 

A second response is to encourage congregations to make modest annual 
increases in their giving to denominational programs. The increasing cost of 
health insurance and of very modest wage increases (two-three percent 
annually) requires an annual increased income of approximately $200,000, 
which is about five percent of congregational contributions each year. We 
anticipate congregational giving for 1995 will be several percentage points 
above 1994, for which we are very grateful. Many congregations have indi- 
cated a modest increase of self-allocation for 1996. We realize that the pres- 
sures the General Board feels also are felt by congregations and districts, 
and that we all need to work together to address these issues. 

A third General Board response is the "Behold" campaign to encourage 
individuals who are able to do so to contribute to denominational programs 
without diminishing their congregational and district support. At the begin- 
ning of the decade we approached individuals to contribute to Brethren 
Vision for the '90s, and about $4 million was given over a five-year period. 
This allowed the Board to increase programs in evangelism, overseas church 
planting, youth and young adult ministry, curriculum, denominational iden- 
tity materials, ethnic ministry, health, and peace. 

As Brethren Vision for the '90s is nearing completion. Annual Conference 
has authorized the "Behold" approach to individuals for a new five-year 
commitment to denominational programs. "Behold" contributions will allow 
the Brethren Vision for the '90s programs to continue until 1998, when the 
General Board intends to have implemented its new program design. 
"Behold" also will allow the Board to respond to Annual Conference's call 
for a five-year emphasis on leadership. Furthermore. "Behold" will serve to 
rebuild the declining Board reserves, something that is essential to fiscal 
accountability. By 1998 the Board hopes to have a redesign that is sustain- 
able in the years thereafter. 

The fundamental way of supporting the denomination is congregational giv- 
ing. However, the giving of individuals directly to the General Board has been 
a very important supplementary source of income through the years, and 
"Behold" is in that tradition. The Board wants to be responsive to the church's 
call for ministries that touch today's needs, and yet these ministries must be 
within the Board's means. The ultimate purpose of the "Behold. I make all 
things new" campaign is to strengthen the witness to [esus Christ of our con- 
gregations locally and worldwide. — Donald E. Miller 



Donald E. Miller is general secretary of the Church of the Brethren. 



pie who worked hard and lived simply, 
invested wisely but not conservatively, 
and turned a seed-corn farm into 
assets to support the work of others 
through seed money and leverage. 



Even if not direct recipients, we all can 
benefit from the Cable legacy of 
seed-corn stewardship. 

Wilfrcil I:, \olcii is president of Brethren 
Beitefn I'rusl. 



t^ 



FebriiaTN \9'^t< Mes.scngcr 27 



0Oyit\nnts... 




Dr. Wesley DeCoursey, chemistry professor 
[1952-1986) 



McPherson 
College 

McPherson 

Kansas 

316 241 0731 



Dr. Shingo Kajinami, chemistry 
professor (1986 - present) 



U OK 



The urgency of peacemaking 

I appreciated the cluster ol stories on 
I5rclhren peacemakers in the Dec- 
ember Messenger. It was the Brethren 
belief that all war is sin that convinced 
me to join the denomination four 
years ago. 

1 am repeatedly disappointed, how- 
ever, by the lack of conviction regard- 
ing this historical belief. I hear 



Thv upinioiis expressed in Letters are not neeessarily 
those of lite itiagaziiie- Renders shotdd receive 
iheiit ill ilic suiiie spirit with which differing opin- 
ions are expressed in face-to-face conversations. 

Letters should be brief concise, and respectful of 
the opinions of others. Preference is given to letters 
that respond directly to items read in the magazine. 

We are )villiiig to withhold the name of a wrUer 
only ivhen. in our editorial judgment, it is war- 
ranted. We will not consider any letter that comes 
to us unsigned. W'liether or not we print the letter. 
the i\'ritcr's name is kept hi strictest confidence. 

.\ddress letters to Mfssfngfr crfi'/or. N'il 
nundee.Ave.. Elgin. IL b0120. 



u 



When conflict surfaces, can I let go of my 

need to be right?" 

Conflict is not frightening for Chris Bowman '84. Instead, he sees 
opportunity for growth. Beheving that change only happens when 
folks can be heard, Chris functions well in a problem solving role. 
Self driven and creative, Chris serves as chair of the Redesign 
Steering Committee of the General Board. Using the Bible as a 
key resource for discernment, Chris strives to release believers into 
ministry. Pastor, teacher, husband, and father of twins, he pays 
attention to truth as well as to true feelings, searching within 
conflict for the foundation upon which all can build. 



Students know Manchester College for the questions we pose. 
And for the help we give them in finding answers. 




Manchester College 



Call (219) 982-5000 to receive more information on Manchester programs or stewardship opportunities, to refer 
prospective students, or let us know if you are planning a special visit. 



28 Messenger February 1 99b 



Pontius' Puddle 



Sulice: Send payment fur repriming "Pontius' Puddle" from MESb>tNCER 
to Joel Kauffmann. 1 1 1 Curler Roud. Goshen. I\ -JCi52b $J5 for one 
tune use S 10 for second ^irip in sunie issue $10 for eongregaintns 



Brethren of all ages supporting military 
enlistment, war in general, the death 
penalty, guns, and violent toys. 

I am impressed by the 1995 Annual 
Conference statement "Nonviolence 
and Humanitarian Intervention" 
(August 1995, page 15). I urge con- 
gregations to refamiliarize themselves 
with the historical and biblical roots of 
our peace beliefs and to witness to 
others about them. 

lackie Klitimel 
Shelocta. Pa 



For the price of a hamburger 

A recent letter from church headquar- 
ters warned of an impending shortfall 
of $504,570. in 1994 it was 
$219,150. This is a horrendous finan- 
cial catasthrophe. 

The November 1995 Messe.nger 
(page 7) reported that the Reform- 
ation Presbyterian Church in South 
Korea no longer wished to join us: 
having heard of our financial situation, 
it was skeptical of our real spiritual 
dedication. Spiritual lethargy can 
deaden the soul. 

If each member of the denomination 
sent the General Board S5. the price 
of a large hamburger, our debt could 
be paid and we would have about 
$100,000 left over. 

But it wouldn't solve the spiritual 
problem of the Church of the 
Brethren. In stewardship, the spiritual 
and the financial go hand in hand. 

Ernest Dctrick 
North Manchester Ind. 



Hospitality hints 

I was a delegate to Annual Conference 
in Phoeni.x (1985). I often have regret- 
ted going; I have not felt the same 
about the denomination since then. 

My grandparents, parents, and I had 
been life-long Brethren. I went to 
Phoenix thrilled to be able to learn 
more about the church and meet more 
Brethren. But from the registration line 
until dismissal. Brethren everywhere 



vie CrtRl^T■(»,^^S 
To DEAL Wirw 

co^4PLlc.■^ wiTHour 

wufOiMO- ClktU OTME?. 



rwc HEV IS To 

ACHIEVrOMfTYOK 
tdOtlAL |A4TrCT,S, 
BUT ALLOW 

THOSE THAT AREtl'T. 




ACrRCrO, IJOT 
HOW DO WC 
KNftW WHICH 
tA,ArTE«.S r 
ARECKOtiAL": 



CASV. T>*EV'<?E 
THE" OMESTHAT 
HVATTTRTO ^^E (. 




The Young Center of Elizabethtown College announces... 

The 1996 Durnbaugh Lectures 

"Anabaptist Identity 

Theological and Practical Issues" 

Wednesday & Thursday, February 28-29 

Three public lectures by Dale R. Stoffer 



"Who's Who Among the Brethren" 
Wednesday, 10:00 ajn. 

"The People of God: An Anabaptist Focus" 
Wednesday, 7:30 pjn. 

"Keeping Faith Alive: Practical Concerns 
for Anabaptist Identity" 
Thursday. 7:30 p.m. 




Dale R. Stoffer 



Dirk*s Exodus 

Six dramatic presentations 
March 8, 9, 10 & 15, 16, 17 

Friday & Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2:00 p.m. 

"Dirk's Exodus" tells the dramatic story of Anabaptist hero Dirk Willenis 
who rescued his pursuer, a jail warden, from icy waters in 1569^ 
Willems was subsequendy captured and martyred ^' 

The drama explores the moral issues surrounding 
this heroic story of nonresistant love and service. 

Seating is limited. For ticket information 
call the Young Center 
717-361-1470. 




Elizabethtown 

(WLLE6E 



February NQb Messenger 29 




1 iU\ 




will reduif your moving cost at least 42% o:; 
moves within the Coniinen!?.! V S \':" iiiiorm.iiio:- 
:inj a tree est:n\:;i .aii lev, :- CORD northAmcrican 

1-800-873-2673 

GC northAmerican 




^ Partners 
in Pra^ 



Daily prayer guide: 

Sunday: Your congregation's 

ministries 

Monday: Annual Conference officers 

Tuesday: General Board and staff 

Wednesday: District executives. 

Bethany Seminary, colleges 

and unixersity 
Thursday: General Services 

Friday: Parish Ministries 
Saturday: World Ministries 

February- prayer concerns: 

Congregation: Lenten preparations 
(February 21 is Ash Wednesday). 

Conference: Executive director Duane 
Steiner and his assistant. Susan 
Thompson, as they prepare for 
Cincinnati. 

General Board: "Behold" commit- 
ment program. Preparation for March 
General Board meeting. 

Districts and schools: Seniors seeising 
employment or education directions. 

General Services: Planned Gi\ing staff. 

Parish Ministries: Personal faith- 
sharing seminar in Sarasota. Fla.. 
February 3. Global Living Study 
Committee. 

World Ministries: On Earth Peace 
.Assembly board retreat. February 
23-25. Washington Office as it pre- 
sents Brethren viewpoint on political 
issues. 



made it clear thc\ ncilhcr knew in\ 
Inisbaiid and iiic iivir were interested in 
learning tv) know us. Tho> turned troni 
our introductions to talking with peo- 
ple llicv knew from home, college, 
scniinarv . . . w hcrcNcr. 

Last October we went to an Arizona 
Cluucli cif the Brethren, as.suming the 
Siniday serxice began at 1 1 a.m. (no 
hotu's wore listed outside the church or 
in the phone book). The service was 
half over, having begun at 10:30. .Alter 
cliurch. one man said "Good morn- 
ing" to us. 'I'hal was it. 

\l a Baptist church the next Sunday, 
bv the time the service started, some 
10 |ieo]ile had greeted us. given their 
names and asked ours, and inquired 
about us. The pastor had us stand 
and. diu'ing the morning praver. asked 
lor traveling mercies for us. .After the 
service, everyone, including some of 
the children, welcomed lis in triendiv 



From the 
Office of Human Resources 

TE.ACHERS. Business Education 
and \bcal Music 

Hillcrest School. Nigeria 

This is a special opportunity to teach 
in a K- 1 2 international Christian 
school with an excellent reputation. 

ADMINISTRATOR/ 

Theological Educator. Sudan 

Iheological Lducaliun bv 
Extension (TEE) Program 

li>r more iujormauon call Mcn'iu 

Kcemy. Africa MiiUllc East 
Ri'lirescntaiirc iSOOl )2)-iS'(J)V. 



tashion and struck up conversations. 

Once again the Brethren had come 
across as an insular group that either 
doesn't trust "outsiders" or sirnply 
doesn't care about others. 

rhe Lord instructed us to minister 
to the least of these and to seek out 
the lotiely . the lost, and the stranger in 
our midst. They are all around us. and 
a kind word goes a long way toward 
kuthering the Lord's work. 

Cora Hiiiu 
Detroit. Mich. 



Not getting my money 

The Church o\ the Brethren has manv 
important ministries that deserve sup- 
port. But this same church has an offi- 
cial policy of bigotry that makes it dif- 
ficult for me to offer that support. 

The church won't embrace me 
because I am gay. but it would eagerly 
embrace my money, in spite of its 
"good works." a church that relegates 
gays and lesbians to second-class 
membership status is not worthy of 
support. 

Steve .\eiycoiuer 
West Hollpwod. Calif. 




call (800) 325-8039jext. 247 
Ask for Vicki. 



CLASSIFIED ADS 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE— Ride the t)us w us to Annual 
Conference in Cincinnati Leave Eiizabettitown (Pa ). 
July 1 , return July 8, For information wnte to J Kennetti 
Kreider, 1300 Stieaffer Road, Eiizabettitown. PA 
17022 

INVITATION— Stialom Ctiurcti of ttie Bretfiren. new & 
growing fellowstiip in Durham. N,C , invites Brethren 
moving to Research Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham. 
Chapel Hill) to worship w us Eager to provide moving 
assistance (unloading, childcare, area info ) for those 
relocating to area For info , contact Fellowship, PO Box 
15607, Durham, NC 27704 Tel (919) 490-6422 E- 
mail. ShalomCOB@A0L,C0M, 



TRAVEL— Pilgrimage to Israel, Jordon. & Greece, Oct, 
20-Nov 2, 1996 (14 days) You are invited to join 
Wendell & Joan Bohrer on their 10th pilgnmage to the 
Holy Land Visit Jericho, Capernaum, Jerusalem. 
Hebron, the Dead Sea, Qumran, Petra. Athens, Delphi, 
and much more Cost; S2.489 from New York, For info, 
write or call; 8520 Royal Meadow Dnve, Indianapolis, IN 
46217 Tel, Fax (317)882-5067 

SHARE HOUSE— Tucson, Ariz, Retired Quaker woman, 
age 60, seeks compatible woman to share 2-br house. 
No smokers or pets. Located in cnme free community. 
Contact; Corinne Krekler Chapman, 14301 N Chalk 



30 Messenger February l<5'56 



Toriiiiiff Points 



'0 



Wedding 
Anniversaries 

Adams. Martin and Genevieve. 

Clearville, Pa., 50 
Becker, RavTnond and Florence. 

Troy. Ohio. 55 
Benson, Harold and lanette. 

Lawrenceville. 111.. 50 
Blocher, Henry and Mary. La 

Verne. Calif.. 50 
Bowman, Gladys and Ralph, 

Reedley. Calif.. 50 
Bowman, Loren and Claire. La 

\'erne, Calif, 60 
Clague, Don and Betty, La 

Verne, Calif., 50 
Clark, Clinton and Donna, 

Delphi, Ind , 50 
Deeter. Bill and Delores. 

Greenville, Ohio, 60 
Fike, Paul and Ella, 

Bridgewater, Va., 55 
Good, Earl and Doris. Troy, 

Ohio. 60 
Heisey. lohn and Fern. 

Manheim. Pa.. 50 
Kenworthy, Vernon and 

Florence. Delphi. Ind.. 55 
Kindy, Wayne and Glenna. 

Goshen, Ind.. 50 
Langley, George and lane. 

Springfield. Ohio. 50 
Lentner, lack and Marv. Delphi. 

Ind,. 50 
Matthews, Harold and Mary. 

New Paris. Ind.. 50 
McQuiston, Gilbert and \'iolet, 

Kokomo. Ind-. 50 
Miller. Doyle and Marjorie, 

Delphi, Ind.. 50 
Miller, Garland and Edith. 

Bridgewater. Va.. 55 
Miller, Vergal and Grace. 

Centerville. Iowa, 55 
Mitchell. Olden and Myrtle. 

North Manchester, Ind,. 55 
Moyer, Glen and Mabel. 

Greenville. Ohio. 75 
Reppert. Lee and Alice. 

Monticello. Ind., 55 
Rhynard. .-Mberl and Naomi. 

Troy, Ohio, 55 
Rittcr, lohn and Freda. 

Uniontown, Pa.. 60 
Schneider. George and Nettie. 

Wooster. Ohio. 55 
Sellers. Harry and Martha. 

York. Pa., 55 
Soilenbergcr, Robert and Verna, 

AnnviUe, Pa.. 50 
Taylor, |im and Estel, 

VVenatchee, Wash,, 50 
Ward, Chester and Freda, Troy, 

Ohio. 55 
Weaver, Harold and Grace, 

.Annville. Pa.. 50 
Wilkinson, Virgil and Eulene, 

La Verne. Calif.. 50 
Winkler, Golan and Gertrude. 

Tulsa. Okia,. 50 

Pastoral 
Placements 

Albright, W David, from retire- 
ment to Newton. W. Plains 

Bartholomew, Paul, from Pipe 
Creek, S/C Ind., to Mohican, 
N, Ohio 

Bitner, Robert, Union City, S, 
Ohio, from interim to full-time 



Blough, Lester Ir.. Syracuse. N. 

Ind., from interim to full-time 
Bowers, George, trom secular 

to Antioch. Shen. 
Brumbaugh, Alan. Point. M. 

Pa., from interim to full-time 
Carrasco, Fausto. from other 

denomination to Rio Prieto, 

Atl. S.E, 
Fike, Matthew, from Blue 

Ridge. Virlina, to West 

.Alexandria. S Ohio 
Fultz, Larry, from Cedar Creek. 

S.E., to Christ the Ser\ani. 

Atl. S.E. 
Hendricks, loseph. from 

Vinton. Virlina. to Rocky 

Ford. W Plains 
Hinton, George, from Salkum. 

Ore./ Wash., to Salem 

Community, W. Plains 
Hooks, Enc L., from secular to 

Robinson, W, Pa. 
Hoover, Barbara, Irom secular 

to Valley Point, M. Pa. 
Hosletler, Bruce A., from 

Timbercrest Home, S, C Ind , 

to Roann, S/C Ind., assoc. 
Hullihen, lames, from secular 

to Ten .Mile. W, Pa 
Hutchinson, Martin, from 

Spring Run. M. Pa., to 

Florin. M\. N.E.. team 
Hutchinson. Sharon, from 

Spring Run. M. Pa., to 

Florin. Atl. N.E.. team 
Johnson. leffrey H.. from 

.Morrellville. W Pa., to 

.Mountain Valley. S.E, 
Johnson. Robert, irom Melrose. 

Shen.. to Mount Vernon. 

Shen, 
lordan, Donald R , Pleasant 

Chapel, N. Ind, from interim 

to full-time 
King, Phillip, from other 

denomination to Pleasant 

Hill, W Pa. 
Klinedinst, Steven, from secular 

to Washington Creek, W. 

Plams 
Lohr, Dennis M.. from Easton. 

Mid-Atl., to Palmvra. Atl. 

N.E. 
Mason, Steven, from secular to 

Pleasant Hill. Shen. 
McClelland, Golda. from 

Myersville. Mid. Atl . to Loon 

Creek. S/C Ind. 
Moore. Lorene. from other 

denomination to LaPlace, 

lll,/'Wis, 
Naff. Lee, from Pleasant Dale, 

Virlina. to Cedar Bluff, 

Virlina, team 
Naff. Robin, from Pleasant 

Dale, Virlina, to Cedar Bluff, 

Virlina. team 
Paulsen, Gordon, from other 

denomination to Bethel. W, 

Plains 
Pfallzgraff Eller, Enten. from 

Root River. N. Plains, to 

Lafayette, S/C Ind.. team 
Pfallrgraff Eller. Kathryn. from 

Root River. N, Plains, to 

Lafayette. S/C ind.. team 
Powers. Walter |r., from secular 

to County Line. N. Ohio 
Reiff. Ray G., from seminary to 

Union Grove, S/C Ind. 
Reimer, ludy Mills, from semi- 



nary to Smith Mountain 

Lake, Virlina 
Sherlock, Douglas, from secular 

to Lew/istown, M Pa. 
Shipman, William |.. from other 

denomination to Hammond 

Avenue. N. Plains, assoc. 
Sloughfy, lulie Anne B.. from 

Good Shepherd Home, to 

Fruitland. Idaho 
Smalley, David, from New 

Co\enant. .\\\. S.E.. to Eden 

Valley. W. Plains 
Steele, David, trom Bakersfield. 

Pac. S-W. to Martinsburg 

Memorial. M. Pa., assoc. 
Twigg, David 1.. Christian 

Church Uniting. Virlina. 

Irom interim to full-time 
Waltersdorff, Christy lo. from 

Westminster. Mid-Atl,. to 

'Ibrk Center. 111. /Wis. 
Wine, Ronald K.. from other 

denomination to French 

Broad. S E. 
Wolfe. Da\id E . from other 

denotnination to Manchester. 

S/C Ind.. assoc. 
Workman. Icff, Irom other 

denomination to Woodland. 

III. /Wis 

Licensing/ 
Ordination 

Andes. Greg, licensed May Q, 

1995, Mount Bethel, Shen. 
v\shworth. lercmv, licensed Aug. 

24. 1995. Greenville. S.Ohio 
Baker, Allen I., ordained Aug 

20. 1995. Glendale. M. Pa. 
Baker, Lisa, licensed Sept- 5, 

1995. Pitsburg 
Balmer, Richard, licensed Oct. 

22. 1995. Chiques. .^tl. N E. 
Barnetl, Gail, licensed Oct 5. 

1995. Richmond. S/C Ind 
Belford. Virginia W. licensed 

Sept, 9. 1995, Naperville, 

111/Wis. 
Benner. Michael S.. ordained 

Sept. 7, 1995. Free Spring. 

S. Pa. 
Binkley, Timothy Scott. 

ordained April 22. 1995, 

Onekama, Mich. 
Bollinger, Dale, ordained .Aug. 

5. 1995. Cocalico. Atl. N.E 
Brill, Steve, licensed ,May 9. 

1995. Calvary. Shen. 
Cable, Sherman Ace. licensed 

Sept. 16. 1995. Blue Ridge. 

Virlina 
Campbell, Tonv. licensed Sept. 

12. 1995. Blue Ridge Chapel, 

Shen. 
Clark, Wanda. Ordained Sept, 

9. 1995. Pipe Creek. Mid-Atl. 
Cohlck, Dean Arthur, licensed 

Aug. 51. 1995. Mount 

Olivet, S. Pa. 
Delk. Brian, licensed Sept. 2[). 

1995. Castine, S Ohio 
Ditmars, Larrv, ordained Aug. 

4. 1995. Trinity. W Plains 
Doss, Martin C. licensed Sept. 

16. 1995. Mount Hermon. 

\ irlina 
Edmonds, Edwin, ordained 

Nov. 11. 1995. Moler Ave.. 

Mid-Atl. 
Fahncstock, Delia M . ordained 



Oct. 7. 1995. York First. S. Pa. 
Fairchild, Ian. licensed Aug. 5. 

1995. Lincolnshire. N. Ind. 
Finley, Donald C , ordained 

Feb 25, 1995, Spring 

Branch, Mo./,\rk. 
Godfrey, Richard, licensed Oct, 

18. 1995. Codorus. S. Pa. 
Gregersen. loseph P. ordained 

April 22. 1995. York Center. 

III. /Wis. 
Groff, Mervin C. ordained Feb. 

7. 1995. White Oak, Atl, N.E 
Haines, Frank D., licensed May 

20, 1995, ConneUsville. W, Pa, 
Hale, A, Chester, ordained 

Aug. 29. 1995, Wolf Creek, 
S- Ohio 
Hess. Nancv H., licensed Aug. 

I, 1995. Palmyra. .Atl. N.E. 
Holland. Scott I., ordination 

received Aug. 4. 1995. 

Monroeville. W Pa. 
Hyre. Greg, licensed May 16. 

1995. Eaton, S, Ohio 
(ones, Eugene Westly. licensed 

Aug 31, 1995, Mount 

Olivet, S, Pa 
Keith, lean, ordained lune 5, 

1995, Douglas Park, III, /Wis 
Kingrea, David, licensed April 

II, 1995, E\ergreen, Shen. 
Kinnick, Carl Scott, licensed 

■April S, 1995, lohnson 
City, S.E 
Krabacher, lohn. licensed lune 

21. 1995. New Carlisle. 
S. Ohio 

Martin, George H.. licensed 

Oct, 18. 1995. Falling 

Spring. S. Pa. 
Nation, Mark K.. ordained Dec. 

10. 1994, Ladera, Pac, S W 
Neubauer, Frank III. ordained 

9. 1995. Reisterstown, 

.Mid-Atl. 
Nichols. Mark W.. ordained 

Sept, Ri. 1995. Mason's 

Cove, Virlina 
Norris, Esther, ordained Nov, 

4, 1995. Garden City. W. 

Plains 
Papke. Angela, licensed Ian. 1 7. 

1995. Calvary. Shen. 
Reiff, Ray G.. licensed Oct. 5. 

1995. Richmond. S/C Ind. 
Sanders, Cynthia S.. ordained 

Feb 25.' 1995. Cabool. 

Mo. /Ark. 
Sellers, Nada B.. ordained Aug. 

13. 1995. Pasadena. Pac. S.W 
Smith, Melvin R.. ordination 

recei\ed Aug, 29. 1995, 

Charleston, S, Ohio 
Stroup, Donald. licensed No\ . 

4. 1995. Lakeview. Mich. 
Teeter, Allene. ordained Sept 

21. 1995, Amaranth. M. Pa. 
Tusing, Frank, licensed Sept. 

12. 1995. Damascus. Shen. 
Wade, Marvin D.. licensed Sept. 

16. 1995. Pleasant Valley. 

Virlina 
Weber, Linda, ordained Sept. 9. 

1995. York Center. 111. 'Wis. 
Whetzel, Diann. licensed Feb. 

7. 1995. Front Royal. Shen. 
Whitacre, Christopher, ordained 

Aug 4. 1995. Prince of 

Peace. W Plains 
Witmer, Nelson H., licensed 

julv 17, 1995, Shanks, S. Pa, 



Deaths 

Aldinger, R, Emmert, 70, Eliza- 

bethlown, Pa„ Dec, 14, 1995 
Allen, lustus B,, 87, Verona, 

Va., Nov. 24, 1995 
Baker, Stuart D,, 85, Arlington, 

Va„ Oct, 20, 1995 
Brown, Philip, 58, Glen Arm. 

Md,. lune 10. 1995 
Buchanan |r., Ralph .M,, 49, 

Mount lackson, Va , Nov. 25. 

1995 
Buckwalter. Beatrice. 71. New 

Holland. Pa.. Dec, 15, 1995 
Buffenmyer, Lillian S,, 88, Lan- 
caster, Pa„ Nov, 11, 1995 
Cline, Mary D,. 89. McGahevs- 

ville. Va.. Nov. 16. 1995 
Cosner. Glenn T, 61. Mount 

Storm. W.Va.. Nov. 7. 1995 
Davis. D Franklin, 75, Hai'rison- 

burg, Va.. Nov. 24. 1995 
Flora. Betty W. 68. Boones 

Mill. Va.. Dec. 22. 1995 
Foster. Esta. &S. Bridgewater, 

Va,, Oct. 22, 1995 
Funk |r., Marcellus R, 64, 

Strasburg, Va.. Nov 23. 

1995 
Halterman. Lula V. 90. 

Dayton. Va.. Nov 28. 1995 
Harper. Alva L.. 90. Moyers, 

W.Va.. Nov. 28. 1995' 
[amison. Levi E., 97. Boones 

Mill, Va,, Dec, 21, 1995 
Knicely, Doris K,, 53, Wood- 
stock, Va„ Dec. 9. 1995 
Kolp, Emma G., 71, Elizabeth- 

tow-n. Pa,, Dec, 19, 1995 
Lipscomb, Ralph L , 70, Purgits- 

villc. W.Va., Nov, 28. 1995 
Longenecker, Dorothv H,, 72, 

Reading, Pa., Dec, 19, 1995 
Longenecker, Lizzie L,, 106. 

,\Ianheim, Pa., Dec 20, 1995 
Martz, Lewis ,A,M., 73, 

Harrisonburg, Va,, Dec 2, 

1995 
Miller, Daniel L., 9b, New 

Lebanon, Ohio, Dec 15, 1995 
Mohler, Maud N, 92. Lan- 
caster. Pa.. Nov. 15. 1995 
Morris. Russell T. 77. Grottoes. 

Va.. Nov. 30, 1995 
Myer. Emma M,, 97, Ephrata. 

Pa., Dec. 9. 1995 
North. Donald E., 42, Long 

Beach, Calif, Oct 15, 1995 
Pence, .Annie H., 95, Luiav. \a., 

Oct, 18. 1995 
Shenk. Marv G., 90. Willow 

Street. Pa., No^. 29. 1995 
Shifflett. Vada B.. 79. Broad- 
way. \'a.. Nov. 14. 1995 
Shirk. Gladys. 90. Martinsburg. 

Pa,, luly 25. 1995 
Simmons. Virginia S.. 90. 

Harrisonburg. Va.. Dec, 2, 

1995 
Switzer, I, Woodrow, 82, 

Staunton, Va.. Nov. 28. 1995 
Turner. ,Alda E.. 80. Timber- 

ville. Va.. Nov. 30. 1995 
Whetzel. Lucy S.. 89. .Arthur. 

WVa,. Oct'. 2b. 1995 
Wood, Bernice D,, 74. Kennett 

Square, Pa,, Nov, 25. 1995 
Yates, Marguerite F. 91. Tipton, 

Iowa, Nov, 15, 1995 
Young, David G,, 76. La Verne, 

Calif,, Nov, 8. 1995 



February 1996 Messcnacr 31 



1 


' • 


i 
L 


in 



Confession or just damage control? 



Time was. in the Ciiureh ol tiie Brethren, when the 
"deacons' visit " was a viable institution, and the 
occasion, just iireceding love least. ga\e pause to 
those individuals who had sins weighing on their 
heart and conscience. 

The deacons o\ a ccMigregation went in pairs 
house to house, asking whether the members still 
adhered to their baptismal vows, whether thev were 
in peace with the church, and whether thev contin- 
ued to work toward an individual and congrega- 
tional "increase in holiness." Tlie purjiose of the 
visit (which, in a church that made much of strictlv 
following the New Testament, actually lacked direct 
scriptural authority) was to determine the spiritual 
condition of the congregation and to reconcile dif- 
ferences. .As the Brethren approach their 500th 
anniversary (200^!). the practice of the "deacons' 
visit" continues only among the Dunkard Brethren 
and the Old German Baptist Brethren. 

Likelv in most cases, the "deacons' visit" didn't 
result in dramatic confessions of sin. W'e ma\ sup- 
pose that household members, aware of the 
upcoming visit and its purpose, had worked things 
out in their mind, heart, and conscience before- 
hand, and could put a check mark in the yes box 
on all the above questions. The big discipline prob- 
lems were dealt with bv the congregation, some- 
times leading to the ban or distellowship for those 
found guiltv of sin and resisting confession and 
repentance. 

That was the Rivthreii practice. We know that in 
the Roman Catholic church, at least in pre-Vatican 
II davs. the Saturdav -night conlession box was the 
means of dealing with one's shortcomings. In most 
Catholic parishes today, the Saturday-night lines at 
the confession box have been replaced bv semian- 
nual reconciliation services during Advent and Lent. 

Confession has been on my mind recently, not 
that I am holding the lid down on anv big personal 
sin. but because of the many lasciiiating instances 
of confession and apology by public llgures in the 
last year. There has been a pattern emerging — con- 
fession as damage control. 

Think of the Southern Baptist Convention, kick- 
ing off its sesquicentennial last |une bv finally apol- 
ogizing for its long-standing support of slavery and 
racism. It's about time. I'm sure most African- 
Americans said. 

Last iuly. Pope |ohn Paul II. in his "Letter to 
Women." offered something of an apology for past 
sins committed against women by members of the 
church. Heyl Permit women to be priests, and we'll 
belie\e vou. 



Lormer Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara 
wrote a whole book to confess his complicity in car- 
rying on the Vietnam War even after he decided it 
was wrong. Never mind the thousands of 
Americans and Vietnamese who died because he 
couldn't bring himself to admit that in lQb5. Thirty 
vears later, he finally asks us. "Remember the 
\ietnam War. folks? Well . . ." 

The prize lor the most |iathetic ajiology goes, of 
course, to Senator Robert Packwood. who said he 
didn't see that he had done anything wrong in his 
plavfulness around women, hiil just in case he had. 
he cei'tainly was sorry. 

And as 1Q95 closed, we were reminded by a new 
film, "Nixon." of the all-time master confession- 
evader, who went from declaring he was not a 
crook to grudgingly conceding (years later) that, 
well, "mistakes were made" . . . imiYhc. 

How good are public confessions? We are becom- 
ing jaded with shallow confessions by politicians 
caught in a lie or a tryst, and the blathering of talk- 
show guests on tele\ision. The public confession too 
often is a gambit to gain sympathy or moral advan- 
tage. Too often it is a way to get a cheap catharsis. 
Conlession without repentance and contrition — a 
changing of one's ways — doesn't cut it. 



w„ 



here does all this leave us Brethren? The dea- 
cons don't visit anymore, and when was the last 
time you heard of an unrepentant brother or sister 
being put in "avoidance"? Arc our Discipleship and 
Reconciliation Committees adequate successors to 
the older methods of keeping Brethren in line? 

Truth is. before the deacons or the committees 
kick in. it's up to each ol us to maintain our own 
moral vigilance, being humblv willing to let God 
point out our flaws, and then working things out 
between us and him. A good and repentant heart is 
demanded, open to the harms and sufferings our 
acliLins cause others. 

We can take a cue from the Catholics, for whom 
the acid test ol a true conlession is the penitent's 
"firm purpose of amendment." Genuine repentance 
demands both a realistic intentii-in to change one's 
ways and a commitment to make up for harms 
done to others. 

Think on these things as you read this 
M[ SSi:\Gl r's cover story on practicing hospitality, 
Paul Mundey's article on the likelihood of there 
being a church in the future. Robin Wentworth 
Mayer's column on "getting right," and letters from 
some wounded Brethren. — K.T 



32 .Messenger Februan NQb 



Are you Xw 
enough ? 




c 



Reach for Your Dreams 



3 



National Older Adult Conference 
(NOAC III) 

for people 50 and older 

a time to renew friendships, explore ideas and 
interests, worship, and celebrate our Church 

September 2-6, 1996 

Lake Junaluska, North Carolina 



Registration brochures will be 
mailed in February to past 
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district offices, and Brethren 
retirement centers. If you are 
not inckided in this Hst and 
would like a brochure, please 
complete this form and mail to 
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Caregivers (ABC). 

NOAC III is sponsored by the 
Association of Brethren 
Caregivers and Church of the 
Brethren General Board. 



1996 National Older Adult Conference 



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July 2 -7, 1996 



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(Delegates sending the delegate authorization form and 
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may be obtained by contacting your pastor or: 

Annual Conference Office 

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Church of the Brethren 



f 



March 1996 




v\,^-.\N 









^..^SO!^^ 



pAoA^fiS 



This peaceful rock 

garden scene belies 

the mental struggle 

and anguish that 

form the story behind 

its creation. 



' lid' 



I uxuriaiil cluslcrs nl green lenis and t)tlier planis lorni the 
liorder. Inside, an area ol grasel is earelully raketl into con- 
eentrie circles. At the center, water Hows troni a bambno 
l^pe ontii a nionolitli, at tlie base of \vliich is a clear pool 
lined with water-smoothed rocks. ,'\ scene Irom halfway 
around the globe'.' 

No, this beauliliil Japanese gaiilen is locatcti in the 
Marsland covniti ysitle. at the home o\ its creator, I'hil Ciroiil. 

Amazingly, the exotic garden 
occu|iies what was a dump five 
years ago. I^ack then, writes 
I'hil in our March cover story, 
"this bit of paradise was buried 
undei piles ol dirt, scattered 
timbers, cement bags, concrete 
blocks, and discarded pallets. 
We were in the midst ot build- 
ing a studio and ottlce so that I 
could have a place to work at 
home. This was the construc- 
tion site dump." 

As the garden stands in stark 
contrast to the dump site it 
occupies, so does i'hil's present 
creativity in forming the garden 
and returning to innovative pho- 
tography stand in stark contrast 
to the period in which he strug- 
gled with manic depression. His 
forthright telling o\ his experi- 
ence with mental illness (page 
18) will rivet your attention as 
surely as does his lapanese rock garden. 

The cluster of articles on mental illness, which begins on 
page I 2, represents a great deal of work on the part of two 
people in particular. Pat Roop Robinson, writer ol the lead 
article as well as several sidebars, lobbied me for several 
years before 1 got around to slotting a mental illness cluster 
on our Mf-SSENGI-.R planning board. Sara Speicher, associate 
director of the Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC), 
pulled the cluster together, including persuading I'hil Cirout 
to submit his story and photographs. We are extremely 
pleased with the results and, as always, hope that our work 
speaks to our readers and provides handles for dealing with 




the issues and problems of our day. 



"^^ll^l/M^ ^/i4^^^ 



Vol. 145, No. 3 March 1996 




Printed on 
rcocled paper 

® 



COMING NEXT MONTH: Easter season articles by 
Patricia Kcnncd\ Hclnian and Ryan Ahlgrim. 



Editor 

Kermod Thomasson 

Managing Editor 

Nevin Dulabaum 

Editorial assistant 

Paula S Wilding 

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Paul Stocksdale 

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Central Indiana. Mar|orie Miller. 
Miehifian, Ken Cioud. Mid Allanlic, Ann 
("uuts, Missouri/Arkansas. I.uci I^indes. 
Norlhcrn Plains. Faith Sironi. Ncirlhcrn 
Ohio. Alice L Driver; Soiilhern Ohio, 
lack Kline; Oregon/ Washington, 
Marguerite Shanihergcr. Paeiric 
Southwe.sl. Randy Miller; Middle 
fV'iinsylvania, Eva Wanipler. Southern 
IVnnsylvania. Elmer O C»leini. Western 
Pennsylvania, lay Chrislner. Shenandoah, 
Inn Harvey. Southern Plains. Mary Ann 
Dell; Virlina. David & Hcltie Webster; 
Western Plains, Dean Mummer; West 
Marva. Wmonia Spurgeon 

Messenger is the olficial puhlicatn.>n i.)l (he 
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ond class matter Aug 20. tQIS. under 
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date. Nov 1. 1^84 
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In Touch 2 
Close to Home 4 
News b 
In Brief 10 
Stepping Stones 1 1 
From the 

General Secretary 2b 
Letters 5 1 
Pontius' Puddle 52 
Partners in Prayer 34 
Turning Points 3 5 
Editorial 3b 




s 



Neither crazy nor unclean I 2 

Patricia Roop Robinson uses ihc story ol her own struggle with 
mental illness to encourage others who have the problem. It's a 
|iroblem everyone can do something about. Sidebars by the 
author. 

Uncovering the garden 18 

Phil Grout dug thixnigh the lanuary 1 QQb snow to find llic heart 
of his lapanese rock garden. Five years ago there v\as ni.) rock 
garden. Five \ears ago darkness was closing in. 

The Church of North India: Living together in 
unity 22 

In the 25-\ear-old Church ol North India there are challenges 
aplenty, but. as Lamar Gibbic points out. there is much piogress 
to celebrate. 

Back home to India 25 

Former India missionary Laura Sewell reports on a return \isit 
to the country and people she served for 3b years. 

Gospel-learning in El Salvador 24 

Worth Weller (and three other men) droxc 5.400 miles to deliver 
a \an. He tells what he learned about the gospicl from the \an 
recipient. 

Can Christ be both exclusive and inclusive? 27 

For both sides in the i.lebale about an exclusive and inclusive 
Christ. Dale W. Brown has ijood news. 



Credits: 

Cover, inside Ironl coxer. 

1, IQ-20: I'hil Groin 
2; jell Lcard 

3 left: Kernion Tlioniusson 
5 top: art by lack Hull 
6: Nevin Dulabauni 
8: Nevin Dulabauni 
9: Frohnaple family 
10 top: .Art by Maggie Sykora 
to bottom: Art by Church 

World Service 
22: Eric Gass 
24-25: Worth Weller 




Cover story: Dues our 
\ lurch cuwr look u trifle 
iliffcrciil from the usuul'^ 
Oil page 2U. you diii rciicl 
how photoiiriiphcr Phil 
Cirout "siuiiihlcd upon u 
iiv/v L>l O'olxiiig iiiiprcssion- 
isiic coluri: from blacly unci 
wliitc clicmislry and 
pupcr" while rccinvring 
Irom u mciitul illness. The 
cover photo, which Phil 
tilled "Midnight of My 
Muihiess. " Ls (/// cxumple. 
Reud the whole cluster oit 
iiteiitul illness, of course, 
beginning on piige 12. 



Mareh li-lOo \Ic^^cns;e^ 1 



II 



rr 



A new addiction \M^''' ii^'i" ck-xdopino lur- 

lluT. Hcliirc loiii: lie was 

"I K'w iliil soil lia\cl so lasl lihicklislcil lor hivakint: his 

ill sikli a sliorl aiiuniiu ol coiilracl. ilist|iialilictl Ironi 

liiiK''.'" was a qiicslioii playiiit; on aii\ iiiajor 

posed lo ItciuIv Caslro league leaiii. \s he spiialed 

iliiriiiL; a leeeiil eoiuersa ilow iiwaid. he reaelied llie 

lion willi a Irieiul. "One i.la\ poiiil where he was speiul- 

\ou were a kid. the ne\l tla\ iiig SI .lOO a ila\ on eiaek 

\(.in were a iniiiisier. aiul eoeaine. Me heeaitie a lies- 




Fiemly Castro 

(rifihl) ami Gilbert 

Romero {center) 

helped with logistics 

for the anniuil 

assembly of the 

lircthren in the 

Dominican Republic, 

held in January. 

Frcitdy has begun a 

neiv fellowship near 

Santo Domingo. 



"Ill Tiiiich" pmlllcs linihivn uv 

l|-()(//(/ like VOll (II IIICCI Sl'lhl 

slnrv iilciis iiiiil pliuins in "In 
loiich." Ml SSI \i.l li. Nil 
Diiihlcc he. I.hjiii. li (0120. 



wow \oii are read) ki eoiin- 
sel /;/i', who has been in the 
niinisliy kir o\er 4H \eais." 

\ ulinipse al llie lorluous 
roael I rend\ has lra\eled 
diii"in_u 2 3 \eais ol lile is 
lestinioii\ lo the giaee and 
nieiev ol k'^^us. whom he 
eredils lor his personal 
lailli joiirnes and lor the 
sneeess ol his niinistr\ in 
llie I Hiininiean Republie. 

W hen he was onK I (i 
\ears old. Ireiidv lell his 
home in llie nominit an 
Republie and weiU lo llie 
I niled Stales lo pla\ minor 
league baseball. 

I lis talent won him a spcit 
within the Yankees baseball 
organization. Things went 
well lor llie iie\l lew years, 
and 1 rend\ heeame a 
Yankees oiitlielder. 

Hul addielion to drug.s 
ami aleohol kept ihe rotikie 



perale. \iolenl outlaw, stop- 
ping al nolhing to get 
iiioiie) . 

Iionieally . being busted 
during a drug deal began a 
eliaiii ol exeiils thai sa\ei.l 
I rend) lixini utler sell - 
tlestiuelion. I le recalls ihe 
night he was "sel up" in the 
deal: "All I knew was that a 
polieeman \'ias pointing a 
gun at m\ lieail telling me. 
'Don'l nio\e oi' I'll blow 
\oui brains out.' Some- 
thing inside me lold me this 
was the end ol the roail. " 

In piison. I reiid\ studied 
the Bible aiul was visited by 
Church of the Rrethren 
interim director ol Hispanic 
Ministry Ciuillcrmo 
I'ncarnacion. Out ot prison 
alter a year, he gol coun- 
seling, attended church, 
and worked in prisim min- 
istry. I le became a part- 



lime pastoi- in I'ueito del 
C'ielo I ellowship in 
Ueatling. I'a. I ast luly he 
returned to his home ctum- 
try lo begin cluirchcs 
among the Doiniiiicans. 
In |aiiuai\ this \ear. 

I leiulv began a lellowship 
in a small eoininunit\ near 
Saiilo Domingo. The suc- 
cess ol his ministry is e\i- 
(.lenecLl b\ that group's rapid 
expansion. Idglil people 
alteiuleel the lirsl meeting. 
W illiiii three weeks, there 
were nioie than 50 people al 
Snnda\ morning ser\ices. 

Ireiul\ attributes the suc- 
cess ol his ministry \o the 
\ isiting that he and his w ile 
i\o. Heloie he held ain ser- 
vices, he spent maii\ weeks 
gelling in touch with neigh- 
bors. "We take young |ieo- 
ple into oui house, we talk 
with them, and have a 
Coca-Cola or s(.)mething. 
We talk: we share. That's 
ihe haril work ol ministry — 
inst being people lo people. 
We show ilicm ihat we lo\e 
ihem and lliat that's what 
we came here lor - lo share 
ihe love ol C'hrisi." 

Is I reiidv proud (.il his 
successlul ministrv in the 
Dominican Republic'.' Ihe 
answer is ves and no. "I try 
to Slav away Irom being 
proud." savs Frendy. "Piide 
has always been my problem. 

II was the cause ol my lailure 
in baseball. I just try to be 

I rendv— the one God called 
lo serve mv people in the 
Dominican." — [l 1 1 l.i \ki) 

liil I ciinl i^ il liniliivu \oluiilccr 
.S'lTi/K' noikcr jriifii iilahlalc 
iCiilif.l Cluiivli ofilw Bivllircii. lie 
is scniiig mill the offuv oj lutci- 
pivliilinii. on ivriliiif; iiiul pliologiv- 
pliv pnijccis. Iiisi buck jroiii an 
assigniiu'iii ill ihe lloniinicaii 
Repiihlie. he will report on tlevelop- 
ineiiis there in the \pril Ml ssrxc.l u. 



2 \1i.-ssL-ngLT Mnrch n-IQti 



miflh jVlDfe Foreyer 



Names in the news 

Jim Hardcnbrook. pastor 
of Nampa (Idaho) Church 
of the Brethren, is serving 
lanuary— March as chaplain 
for the 1 OQb session of the 
Idaho House of Represen- 
tatives. Ajipointed by the 
House speaker, he opens 
each floor session with an 
invocation, provides pas- 
toral services to out-of- 
town members and their 
families, and gives request- 
ed spiritual or ethical guid- 
ance regarding legislation. 

• Bruce Barwick. a 
member of Elkhart (hid.) 
City Church of the Brethren 
and chairman of the iVlutual 
Aid Association board, has 
received a Golden Hammer 
award from the hidiana 
Builders Association and a 
Sagamore of the Wabash 
awaid from Indiana gover- 
nor Evan Bayh. Both 
awards are in recognition of 
Bruce's work with Habitat 
for Humanit). 

• Melanie May. dean of 
Women's Studies at Colgate 
Rochester Divinity School, 
has had a new book pub- 




Mflanit' \ltiy 

lished: A Bodv Kiunvs: \ 
TlicojnK'lics oj Death and 
Resiinvctioii (Continuum 
Publishing Group). 



^pi^- 





liLfiaei :;tsrrj 



Mike Stent. Bretltieit musician front Seattle, appears on 
the cover of his netv release on CD and cassette tape. 



• Mike Stern of Seattle, 
Wash., who has recorded 
foin- albums of original 
music, has a new release on 
CD and cassette tape, titled 
"Fight No More Forever." 
Mike atid his musical group 
lust Us i^erformed for the 
lOQl ,Mi:SSENoi:r Dinner in 
Portland. He currently ]ier- 
torms with the band Men II 
Geezers. 

• Stewart Hoover, asso- 
ciate professor of journalism 
and mass communications 
at the University of 
Colorado, and former 
General Board staff lor 
Media Education and 
Advocacy (1075-1^80). will 
be the keynote speaker for 
the IQOb Religious Public 
Relations Council's national 
comention in Dallas, Texas, 
March 14-lb, dealing with 
the topic "Shaping Opinion. 
Shaping Perception." The 
author ol the book Mass 
\lciliit Rclii^ioii. he recently 
ci.impleted a three-year 
study "Religion in Public 
Discourse: 1 he Role o\ the 



Media," funded by the Lilly 
Foundation. 

• Edgar Stokes, a mem- 
ber of Lorida (Fla.) Church 
of the Brethren, began 
lanuary 1 as president of 
the Florida Cattlemen's 
Association. "Water qualit\. 
water quantity, and endan- 
gered species will continue 
to be the issues to deal with 
this year." the new leader 
said. He has ser\ed Lorida 
as moderator and as church 
board chaiinian. 



Been there; done that 

Brothers David and Galen 

lulius o\ Berniudian Church 
ol the Biethien, f'ast Berlin. 
Pa., farm land that has been 
in the family since lulius 
forebears helped found the 
CLingregation in I 758. 
The land lies along 
Conewago Creek, which 
overflowed its banks dining 
the mid-lanuary floods that 
resulted from the earlier 



deep snow followed by 
hea\\ rain. One day while 
Galen was helping David 
secure his creekside home 
against the rising waters, 
one of the children ran to 
tell them that a car was try- 
ing to cross a nearby bridge 
that had been closed by 
authorities. 

As the brothers watched, 
the stalled car was swept 
away. David had a boat, so 
he and Galen jumped into 
it and made their way to 
the sinking cai\ The lone 
occupant of the car had 
crawled through a w indow 
and onto the roof. A rescue 
was accomplished in a situ- 
ation headed for a fatality. 
"B\ the time we got back to 
the edge of the water," said 
Galen, "you could barel} 
see the car." 

But the brothers would 
not hear to talk of heroism. 
According to Bermudian 
pastor Larry Dentler, the 
two refused to attend their 
Sunday school class unless 
the other members agreed 
not to "make a big deal" 
out ol their rescue act. 

And \\ hen a newspaper 
reporter questioned them, 
their response was in the 
same \ein: "It's not any- 
thing that hasn't been done 
befoi-e." 

No one but the two mod- 
est bi'Others shared that 
\iew , howexer. 



Remembered 

Rachel Myers Zigler, 0(J. 
died |anuar\' 1 5. IQQO. in 
Bridgewater. \a. She and 
her luisband. I:arl. seixed 
as missionai'ies in hulia 
1^3 7-1064. 



\Unvli M^Xi Mcsvcnsci 3 





w^ 



Casting bread on water 

A dt>nkc\ piillino Hivlhrcii 
rclicl goodi. across an inter- 
national border probably is 
unique among the delivery 
systems of Brethren Service. 
But that's the way the 
Brethren in Clo\is, N.M.. 



Brethren was asked to work 
w ith other area churches 
and a community food min- 
istry to get reliei'to the hun- 
gry and otherwise needy on 
the Mexican side of the Rio 
Grande. Clovis provides a 
trailer that takes down three 
tons ot toLiel a month, pro- 




Cldvis pustor Rolan get material aid Licross to 

Sorswarlhy (riiilil) wiitclu's the needy in Mexico. 

reliej }i(t(ids crass the Rio A couple of years ago, 

Cnandc by donkey power. Clovis Church ol the 



This and that 

Middlclniry (liul.) Church 
1)1 ihe Brelhien built a 
mcelingluiuse in I Q 11 that 
has scr\ed il lor o\cr 80 
years. In April 1 '■)'■) Cx ihc 
congiegation will mo\e to a 
brand-new building, creel- 
ed on a I 4-acrc lot noilh- 
west ot tow n. I he project 
cost S 1 . 1 million. A Q a.m. 
celebralion is planned loi 
the last Sunday ol occu- 
panc\ of the old church. 



"CIdsc Id lloiuc" liii;hlif;hi^ 
news of L-oni/jviiiUions. ilisiricl^. 
colleges, hdines. and nilier loecil 
iiinl reii'unial lije. Send sIdiv 
ideas and pliouis u> "Close u> 
lliiuie." Ml SM \t.i li. I4il 
Dundee lir.. I.li^in. II. 6()/J(A 



\ided b\ a lexas donoi'. 
One couple in the church 
provides a storage trailer 
into which are collected 



That Sunda\. il is hoped. 
will be March il. but the 
tlale dcpcniU on coiisliuc- 
lion progi'css. 

• Champaign (III.) 
diurch ol the Brethren and 
ihicc multi-racial grou]is 
llial use its building held a 
Children's Sabbath to cele- 
brate unity in di\crsil\ . I he 
children worshipetl. stud- 
ied. pla\cil. and participat- 
ed in arts and crafts pro- 
jects. The event em|ilia- 
si/ed a wurld in which chil- 



clolhes. bedding, furniture, 
and medical supplies. 

Members of the Clovis 
church, including youth, 
sort and box the materials. 
Pastor iioian Norsworthy 
and other men in the con- 
gregation regularly make 
the trip to deliver aid. 

At the river, the bags and 
boxes are loaded onto a 
small boat. A man from the 
Mexico side hitches a don- 
key to the boat and hauls it 
across, transporting boat- 
load after boatload over the 
river. The Clovis men then 
use the boat to get across, 
and help distribute the 
material to churches, in 
some instances, and to 
individual families as well. 

How dark a frown border 
officials might cast on this 
operation is open to ques- 
tion. The fact remains that, 
for the recipients, the deliv- 
eries are a lifeline in an 
area with almost nowhere 
to turn in time o\ need. For 
the Clovis folks, it's an 
opjiortunity for hands-on 
mission work, and the sat- 
isfaction ot tace-to-face 
contact with the neighbor 
in need. 



drcn can live in peace, 
without hunger, heimcless- 
ness. or po\ert\. As a 
group acli\it\, the childien 
went door [o dooi' c(.>llect- 
ing looel donations iov the 
chinch's lood pantr\. 
• Arlington (\a.) 
Chuich ol the Biethren is 
luisting a llarmonia Sacia 
Singing March 1 1 at 3 p.m. 
Ihe public is imited lor the 
enjoNincnt of singing from 
lliivnionia Sacra, a sliapc- 
note hyumbook first pub- 



4 Messenger Nhiich UIQb 



y^ 



^# 



.■I 'I'DII. Ill,' ^M,, - .... 



a 




:>#*^ t^fesfc.- 



[7\ '.V Wikun l-ihrarv Liihl iaiidiy Academic Cciilcr 



lishcd in 1852 in the 
Shcnandoaii Valley. These 
singings are traditional in 
Virginia. Flatrock congre- 
gation in Quicksburg, Va.. 
hosted an all-day singing in 
the 1920s thai attracted 
1,500 people. For informa- 
tion, call Gary Smueker at 
(705) 549-4259. 

• Virlina District's 
Smith Mountain Lake 
chinch planting began 
forming a core group in 
January. Pastor |udy Mills 
Reimer plans to hold the 
initial worship service on 
Palm Sunday, March 51. 
The group has use of ware- 
house space in Moneta, Va. 

• Virlina District has 
appointed a steering com- 
mittee to develop a Church 
of the Brethren fellowsliip 
in Concord, N.C.. 25 miles 
northeast of Charlotte. 
Robert Williard of Winston- 
Salem, N.C., is committee 
chairman. 



Campus comments 

in Elizabethtown College': 

series ot religious lectures, 
jini Myer, a minister in 
While Oak Church of the 
Brethren in Manheim, Pa., 
presented a "Celebration ol 
Praise" on February I I . 

• The University of La 
Verne dedicated its new 
Wilson Library and Landis 



Academic Center Februarx 
5. The complex represents 
the largest construction 
project in ULV's 105-year 
history. The library, with 
52,552 square feet of space, 
contains 1 85,000 volumes 
and can e,\pand to 275,000. 



Building with quilts 

Columbia (Mo.) Menno- 
nile and Church of the 
Brethren Fellowship, a 

new-chuich development 
group, is holding a big quill 
auction and crafts and 
baked goods sale April 27. 
I'rofits will go to the group's 
building fund. The quilts 



BuitDiNC A Meetinghouse 




One Quilt Block at a Time 



will be blessed din-ing a 
worship service on Apiil 2b. 

Right now the grou|") is 
still looking for quilts for 
the event. Brethren interest- 
ed in donating quills for 
ihe auction shc)uld call 
l-velyn Schrag at (81b) 
747-9bbl. For general 
inlormalion about the 
event, call Denise Gabbert 
at (514) 874-1 190. 



Brethren and floods 

It was their month of dis- 
content for Brethren in 
areas of Pennsylvania. West 
Virginia, and other eastern 
states. The "Blizzard of 
'96" early in January, fol- 
lowed by warm tempera- 
tures and then heavy rain in 
mid-month combined to 
cause devastating flooding. 
Older Brethren in Pennsyl- 
vania's Morrisons Cove 
area likened the 1 99b Hood 
to the St. Patrick's Day 
flood oi 195b. 

The high waters damaged 
some Brethren churches 
and provided opportunities 
for others to lend a hand to 
needy neighbors. 

Loysburg, F^a., children 
on buses headed for school 
on January 19 became 
stranded between a flooded 
bridge and a washout. The 
buses were directed to 
'Vellow Creek Church of the 
Brethren near Fverett. Pa.. 
where an emergency shelter 
was established. Pastor 
George "^ocum and other 
volunteers cared for afxnil 
100 children and adults 
until parents could get 
through to pick up the stu- 
dents. The local Red Cross 
provided food throughout 
the day. 

A\ the same time. New 
Enterprise (Pa.) Church ol 
the Brethien had a sheller 
operating lor flood evac- 
uees and people without 
heat in their houses. Ihe 
church used vans to bi'ing 
people in for meals. It also 
tound luiusing elsewheie 
for some people and pro- 
vided day care for children 
for several days while iheir 
parents were busy mudding 
out. In addition. New 



Enterprise organized volun- 
teer clean-up crews to work 
in the community. 

At press time. Refugee/ 
Disaster Services was 
aware ol six other congre- 
gations that were providing 
flood relief: Montezuma 
near Bridgewater, Va.; Mill 
Creek near Port Republic, 
Va.. Hyndman (Pa.): 
Moorcfield (W.Va.), Moler 
Avenue in Martinsburg, W 
Va.: and Pocahontas in 
Dunmore, W.Va. 

Ncit all churches were on 
the giving end ol flood 
relief. Oncgo (W.Va.) con- 
gregation lost its lounda- 
tion in the flood, requiring 
major reconstruction, to be 
done when s]iring breaks. 

Nnlc: This lUIicIc th'cs iinl 
cillciupl Id be cuiuprcliciisirc in 
iiiiiiiiiii; llic cungrcgalioiis liil by 
fh Hilling lUhl ihosc pixn-iiliiig 
rclicj. 



Let's celebrate 

The Women's Fellowship of 
Conestoga Church of the 
Brethren in Leola, Pa., will 
celebrate its 50th anniver- 
sary in April. Before 1946 
it was known as the Ladies 
Aid Society, formed in 
1 904. Through the years, 
making quilts and com- 
forters has been a favorite 
project of the Conestoga 
sisters. 

• Pine Grove Church of 
the Brethren near Harrison- 
burg, Va., dedicated its newly 
built social hall November 
19. The event included a 
history of the congregation, 
remarks by former pastor 
Alton Mc Daniel, and a fel- 
lowship meal. 



\I;iich I '■"l'-"'l'> Mc^sciiacr 5 




RSC releases initial report, 
cites d lack ot confidence' 

Mid sc\ci;il inoiiihs ol inUii iiuilion 
L:;ilhciinu ihixuiyh \isiis lo C'luiich ol 
the Hrclhrcn siU's aiul lliroui;h (.liiilog 
wilh Kiclhicn HKiiilx'is ami oiL',ani/a 




David Riulcliff, director of 
Dcnoiiiiiialioiutl Peace 
Witness and Korean Ministry 
(third from left), adds his 
input durinii the General 
Hoard staff /district execu- 
tives consultation in January 
near Lake Cjeneva. \\ is. 
With Radcliff is Dave Loni>- 
enecker. Atlantic Northeast 
associate district executive: 
Dale Minnich. General 
Services executive: Wendy 
\tctadden. lirethren Press 
director: Ken i\ehcr, planned 
,i;/r//;,<; officer and Oregon/ 
Washint>t<ni district execu- 
tive: and John Talhot. 
Redesign consultant. 



I in- ncn-^ jhi'^c^ iiicliulc /k'n> oj ( Ininii ol (he 
ISivthivii i)ri;uni:iiiii)iis and members, and ol miia 
aiZiUioiiy and people ol interest to or afllliated 
u-iilt the Chiireli oJ the Hrethreit. \e\\s items are 
tmended to iiilorm— they do not iieeessarik repre- 
seitt lite opinions of \lesseitf;er or the (ieneiiil 
Ivhtrd. ititd should not he eonsidereil to Ite an 
enilor\enieiil 



tions— ihc (. Iiurcli ol the Biclhicii 
Cii'iicial iHiard's Rcelcsign Slcciing 
CoinmillL'c (RSC) on |anuai\ 20 
iL'lcascel ils initial icpoil. In a news 
release. RSt' eluiirnian Chris Kowinan 
saiil llie euniinillee louni.1 "a elear laek 
ol eonliJenee" in "ihe clentuninalional 
leadership s\sieni. " and in die abilil\ 
ol "the denominational stiiietine to 
relate nieanin_ulnll\ to eongiesjations." 
Il also lonnd a laek ol eonlidenee 
■■(hat the denominalion's unii|ue \alnes 
will sui\i\e bexond anothei- one oi- two 
.uenei'alions." 

"We see this issue ol laek ol eonli- 
denee as a niajoi- loeiis lor our Inlnre 
elloi ts." |')ii\\ man said. 

I houL'li RSC members spent C)eto- 
ber through |anuar\ xisilini; Krethren 
sites and speaking lo Brethren mem- 
bets anil organi/.alions. niost ol the 
inlormation gleaned lor this lepori 
eame Irom responses to a letter sent 
by the RSC in November lo its ael hoe 
aiKisory group — al"H)Lil 100 lail\ aiul 
100 pastors, and Cieneral Board 
emploxees. The lail\ and pastors were 
seleeteel b\ the C'onneil ol l")isiriel 



l\eenli\es (CODl-). 

I he group lepresenls \arioiis \i.iiees 
ol the elenomination. and has been 
asked lo gi\e input lo the RSC as well 
as help in eomnumicaling the slalus ol 
the retlesign proeess [o ehureh mem- 
bers at laige. In the RSC's No\ember 
letter, members o\ the group were 
askeil lo itienlil) what lhe\ believe 
sluiuld be the lour primary eore lune- 
tions eil the Cieneral Boaixl. and lour 
things the Chureh of the Brethren 
shoLild not be inve)lved in. 

"We reeeived responses Irom more 
than hall <.A those we mailed to." said 
Bowman. "We view this as aiuuher 
sign that ehureh members are very 
eoneei neil about the luture olthe 
Chureh ol the Biethien." 

Items listed as top prioiilv (in cuxler) 
were: ei.|uipping and resoureing eoii- 
gregations; eommuniealions and nel- 
witrking aeross the denomination; 
leadership ilevekipment; and mission, 
espeeially when linked to eongrega- 
tions. .Areas eited kir sealing baek (in 
i.irder) were: areas where there is 
duplieation ol elknl; speeial-interesl 
groups; eeumenieal iinoKement; and 
loeal and regiimal lund laising. 

Along with releasing its lin(.lings. the 
RSC ill lanuary also asked its ad hoe 
eommitlee. "W hat are the positive 
things ab(.im the Chureh ol the 
Brethren \ou woukl like the Crenel al 
Board to buiki on'.'" The RSC is 
expeeled to eonipile the responses and 
lelease its report in a lew months. 

In the meantime. RSC' members met 
in I ebruaiA to lormulale their report 
to the Cieneral Board during the 
Board's .Mareli meetings. .As ol last 
lall. the RSC had hopeel lii present 
three options in \laieli lor the lutme 
siruetuie ol the Ceneral Boaixl. W illi 
nuieh i.lialog and inlormatiim galhei- 
ing still to be done, however, the eoni- 
mittee is expeeted ti.i present its 
progiess leport and ask lor a niodili- 
eation ol its timeline. Prior [o the 
Cieneral ikiard meetings, the RSC's 
timeline ealled lor the General I5uard's 
redesign proeess lei be eomplctcd by 
lanuary IQOti. — NlVlN Dui.AHALiM 



6 Mcssciiecr \I;iiili l^HlCi 



Problems perceived by the 
RSC's advisory committee 

The following is paraphrased and 
condensed from the Redesign 
Committee's lanuary 29 report. 

Calls for an increased emphasis 

Congregational/district support. 
Many said the front line of ministry 
is at the local and district level, and 
that denominational programs should 
be geared toward supporting these 
levels. Congregations want denomi- 
national support that will make them 
more effective. 

Communications. Congregations 
and districts want to know about 
each other and about denominational 
activities: They want to network. 
Though current publications are sup- 
ported, there is a belief that Brethren 
rely too heavily on print media. 

Leadership development. There is 
great concern about a perceived lack 
of leadership throughout the denomi- 
nation. National Youth Conference, 
National Older Adult Conference, 
and workcamps were cited as being 
good for de\eloping leadership. 

There is a call for the General 
Board and general secretary to estab- 
lish a clear vision and clear goals for 
the denomination. The Board should 



focus on a few things it can do well 
rather than diluting itself by trying to 
do everything. Programs should be 
examined regularly to determine if 
they are cost effective. 

Mission. Most want much stronger 
congregational and district involve- 
ment in mission efforts. People want 
to be able to make a difference. 

Beneath the initial four categories 
listed above, support quickly frag- 
mented. However, four additional 
items were mentioned. 

Denominational oiganization. 
Many expressed concern that the 
issue of redesign needs to go beyond 
the General Board level. 

Annual Conference directives. 
Many believe a primary function of 
the General Board is to carry out 
Annual Conference policies. 

Bretlveii heritage and identity. 
People want this incorporated in 
ways such as Sunday school curricu- 
lum and leadership development. 

Promote management skills. The 
hiring of people needs to be based on 
management, not "church," skills. 

Calls for a reduced emphasis 

Duplication of effort. People want 
the General Board to stop putting 
time and effort into programs that 
can be more efficiently and effectivelv 



done by or in cooperation with 
someone else. Some also questioned 
owning two denominational offices, 
in Elgin, 111., and New Windsor, Md. 

Special-interest groups. There is 
strong sentiment that much of the 
denomination's efforts are being 
diluted by attention to special-interest 
groups. The fear is that a few loud 
voices are being allowed to sidetrack 
the denomination. 

Ecumenical involvement. A large 
number of respondents believe too 
much time and effort is being spent 
in this area at the expense of chui'ch- 
es and districts. 

Local and regional fund raising. 
Congregations and districts are tired 
of denominational fund-raising pro- 
grams that they see as being in com- 
petition with their own efforts. De- 
nominational staff should spend 
more time promoting denominational 
vision. If this were done, money 
would not be an issue. There also 
was a strong call for more programs 
that will help congregations work at 
the issue of stewardship. 

World mission. People believe the 
General Board is spread too thin and 
should refocus its efforts. Mission 
efforts should be redesigned so pro- 
grams are more closely linked to con- 
gregations and districts. — N.D. 



General Board's 95 fiscal 
year better than anticipated 

The Church o\ the Brethren General 
Board sustained a SI 55,850 deficit in 
1QQ5. though it was considerably less 
than anticipated. Board members in 
October were told that the deficit 
could reach $525,000. 

Board income totaled Sb.594,150. 
with S5.554.2bO in congregational gi\ ■ 
ing: $558,040 in direct gifts: gift an- 
nuities of SI 80.970: and $Q4b.Q94 in 
bequests (though Si 4b, 994 was ti'ans- 
ferred into the bequest reserve fund. 
Other income included SbOb.410 in 
investments and other income; endow- 



ments orSi24.1bO; S207.500 in Ga- 
hagen funds: $275,000 from Goals lui- 
the '90s: S500.000 from the "Behold. 
I make all things new" program: and 
SbO.OOO from bei.|uesl reserves. 

Board expenses totaled Sb.816,750 
— Sl.b49.070 by Executive Commit- 
tee: S1.4Q7.030 by General Services 
Commission; $ 1 ,59 1 , 1 40 by Parish 
Ministries Commission; $1,785,250 
Irom W'eirld Ministries C^.imniission: 
$277,200 in transfers; and Si 7,040 on 
the General Board's redesign process. 

1 he response b\ some 2.000 
Brethren to a year-end mailing and 
special efforts made by some congre- 
gations are being cited as the two pri- 



mary reasons \\ii\ tlie deticit was less 
than expected. 

The year-end repoils for four Boai'd 
programs that maintain budgets euit- 
sidc the Board's Gciier.il FuntI also 
were released. Brethren Press ended its 
\ear with a $55,520 deficit, on sales of 
$1,497,500. 

The Brethren Service Center's 
Center Operations showed S2.81 2.b20 
in income, but w iih a $2b'^.'-140 
deficit. SRRRV International showed 
$4.b27.450 in sales, but with a 
$228,770 deficit. 

The fourth program. The Andrew 
Center, ended 1 995 with a S 1 2. 1 50 
deficit.— N.D. 



^\i\\x\\ I'-l'^b McssL-nsL-r 7 



\m 



Brethren Business Network 
searcties tor new members 

The lledgiing lircihrcn Business 
Nenvork (BBN) is seeking members. 
The intent is for the network to be- 
come an organization that entrepre- 
neurs and upper managers of corpo- 
rations can join to discuss what it 
means to be a Christian in the busi- 
ness field, and how to instill Chris- 
tian \alues in working environments. 

The BBN's Advisory Council, 
which met January 20 in Lancaster. 
Pa.. e\entually would like to see BBN 
chapters organized throughout the 
country. It also would like to see the 
focus expand from being one solely 
for resourcing and connecting to 
becoming one of assistance, where 
businesspeople help people in their 
communities, possibly through train- 
ing and low-interest business loans. 

Council members currently are 
ludd Peter, coordinator, of Oswego, 
III.; Warren Eshbach. Thomas\ille, 
Pa.; Lowell Flory. McPherson, Kan.; 
Earl Hess. Lancaster. Pa.; Robin 
Lahman, North Manchester, Ind,; 
and ludy Mills Reimer, Goodview, 
Va. Tim McElwee, director of the 




Members of the Brethren Business Network Advisory Council meet on 
January 20 to discuss its 1996 agenda. Council members include Judy 
Mills Reimer, Robin Lahman, Earl Hess, and Tim McEhvee. 



General Board's Washington Office, 
is serving as staff liaison. 

In 1996 the council plans to pro- 
duce a periodic newsletter; subscribe 
members to "Marketplace," a maga- 
zine produced by Mennonite Econo- 
mic Development Associates; pro- 
duce a new membership brochure; 
and sponsor a breakfast and insight 
session at Annual Conference. 



The council also hopes to provide a 
Sunday school curriculum pertaining 
to dilemmas of faith for Christians in 
business, and to assemble a bibliog- 
raphy and speakers bureau. 

Funding for the network comes 
from membership fees, and from a 
S50.000 grant from the General 
Board's "Behold, I make all things 
new" program. — N.D. 



SERRV International to close 
its New York City store 

SI l\R\ International announced in 
lanuary that its New York Cit\ slt)re. 
located in the Interchurch Centei'. will 
be closed on March 22 due l(_i declin- 
ing sales. 

"Sales at the store in the early '90s 
were strong, but o\er the last se\eral 
years they ha\e declined." said SIRRX 
director Bob Chase. 

Other laclois include not enough 
retail space (t)nly 400 square feet), 
and a change in the composition of 
tenants in the building. Man\ of 
SLRR\ 's customers were employees 
of religious organizations that ha\e 
relocated elsewhere. Ihe store, which 
opened in 1Q90, is located at 475 



Riveiside Orive. in the same building 
as the National Council ol Churches. 

Ethnic products that are sold b\ 
SERR\ aie not as popular as they 
were a lew years ago. anel the products 
that still are sought alter now are com- 
monl\ sold h\ mainstieani retailers. 
Ciiase said. 

/MtlKiugh sales at SI.RI\\ 's T<.)v\son. 
Md.. sii_)re are improving. Chase is 
e\aluating whether to keep it open. 
I'he store's lease is up in May and a 
decisii)n will be made by that lime. 

SERRV's store at the Brethren 
Service Center in New W indsoi-. Md.. 
is doing well, considering the ti_)Ugh 
year retailers had in 1995. Chase said. 

SERRV stores bring in 14 percent ol 
SI l\l\\ s income. The rest is Irom cat- 
alog and eonsjregational sales. 



Congregations prepare for 
One Great Hour of Sharing 

"That God's works might be revealed" 
is the theme ol the 199b One Great 
Hour of Sharing offering emphasis, 
slated lor March 24. 

The Church o\ the Brethren partici- 
pates in this Church World Service 
emphasis along with eight other 
tlen(.)minations. 

A resource guide, prepared b\ Tim 
Sollenberger Morphew. director ol 
Ct.)ngregational Support, was sent in 
lanuary to each congregation. 

Contiibutions to One Great Hour of 
Shaiing fund hunger, development, 
refugee, and disaster service ministries 
in 70 countries, for more inloi-mation. 
call (800) 525-cS059. ext. 312. 



8 Mcs.scnacr MiJich M'-lb 



Weekly Brethren news update 
now is also available by fax 

Five years ago it began as a \oice mail 
message. Then it expanded to being 
sent as E-mail. And now Newsline, the 
Church of the Brethren's weekly news 
update, is available by fax. This new 
service is intended for Brethren indi- 
viduals, churches, and organizations 
who are not online, but who want to 
receive breaking denominational news. 

Each week \e\vsliiie is heard on 
voice mail by 10-25 callers and is read 
by over 540 electronic subscribers in 
the US and abroad. Only time will tell 
how many Brethren members and 
organizations will utilize the Newsline 
by fax option, said Nevin Dulabaum, 
director of News Services. 

"It is our goal to get current 
Brethren news to as many members 
and organizations as possible, and this 
is our latest step toward meeting that 
goal," Dulabaum said. 

Newsline is recorded on voice mail 
and sent by E-mail each week b\ 
Thursday morning. Nctysliiie will be 
sent out by fax by 1 1 p.m. each 
Thursday. 

To hear ;Vfirs//nf. call (410) b55- 
8758. To receive Newsline by E-mail 
or bv lax. call (800) 525-805q. 



Standing Committee ballot for 
elections at Cincinnati ready 

The Standing Committee ballot for 
elections at Annual Conference in Cin- 
cinnati, July 2-7. has been selected. 

In pre-Conlerence meetings. Stand- 
ing Committee members will select 
halt ot the nominees for election by 
Annual Conference delegates. 

• Moderator-elect — Clyde Carter, 
Daleville, Va.: Herbert Fisher, 
Mountain Grove, Mo.; jimmy Ross, 
Lititz, Pa.: and Donna Forbes Steiner, 
Union Bridge, Md. 

• Program and Arrangements Com- 
mittee — Darlene Bucher. North Man- 
chester. Ind.; Da\id Fastis. Warsaw, 




Calendar 



Jasarevic Velid, 25, from Bratunac, Bosnia, plays with some members of 
the Frohnaple family, whom he joined in North Carolina last Septem- 
ber. Velid was one of 2,012 refugees relocated by the Church of the 
Brethren Refugee/Disaster Services in 1995. The office had projected it 
would help relocate 1,200 refugees. 

Most of the refugees came from Bosnia, Cuba, and Somalia, accord- 
ing to Donna Derr, director. Although the increase was unexpected, 
Derr credited the successful resettling of the refugees to the support and 
interest of Church of the Brethren congregations. 

"The need was great and churches responded, " said Derr. 



Ind.: Ginny Dupras Hollis. Modesto, 
Calif.: and Peter Kaltenbaugh. |r.. 
Mogadore, Ohio. 

• General Board, at-large — Isabel 
Figueroa, Rio Piedras. Puerto Rico: 
Marie Eorlncv Hamilton, State Col- 
lege. Pa.: Wayne judd. Elizabethtown, 
Pa.: Kreston Lipscomb, Springfield, 
III.: Paul M\ers, Fostoria, Ohio: Sue 
Sappenfield Overman, Morgantown, 
W.Va.: Kurt Snyder, Roann, Ind.: and 
Marie Hoover W illoughby. Copemish. 
Mich. 

• General Board. Mid-Atlantic — 
Linda Fre\ Barkdoll. Hagerstown, 
Md.: Warren Kissinger, Hyattsville. 
Md.: Paul Reid, Ftagerstown. Md.: and 
Paul Wampler. Manassas. Va. 

• General Board, Southern Ohio — 
Ronald Fleming. Columbus, Ohio: 
Doi'la KinscN Morgan, Dayton. Ohio: 
Mary |o Flory Steury, Kettering, Ohio: 
and Dwayne Yost, Manchester, Ky. 

• General Board, V'irlina — Da\id 
Miller, Roanoke. Va.: Anne Murray 
Reid. Roanoke. Va.: Ronald Sink. Blue 
Ridge, Va.: and Owen Stultz. 
Roanoke, Va. 

A complete listing o\ the ballot will 
be printed in the May Mi.ssi-nger. 



Pastoral Seminar. "Digging In or Walk- 
ing Away?" Slicphcrd's Spring Rcln.'.il 
Center. Hagerstown, Md-. April \t-2\ 
IContaet Beth.in\ Saleililc. 1-lizaheth- 
town College. (717) 561-14301. 

Association of Brethren Carcgi\ers 
(ABC) Board meclings. General Of- 
fiees, April l'-')-21 IContaet ABC. Gene- 
ral Ofliees. (800) "i23-cSU''>-")|. 

Church of the Brethren Association of 
Christian Educators (CoBACE) Con- 
ference, Richmond, Ind.. April 10-21 
[Conlaet CoBACF. (717) 3n7-2b5b|. 

Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) Board 
meetings, fdgin. III.. April 20-21 |Con- 
tael BHI. (800) 746- 1 303 |. 

National Youth Sunday, M.i\ 3. 

Brethren Volunteer Ser\ice Retreat, Wes 

le> Woods. Lake Gene\a. Wis . |une 4-7 
I Conlaet B\ S, General e")lliees|. 

Bethany Theological Seminary Com- 
mencement, l\n.hniond. Ind . lime 13. 

210th Annual Conference. Cincinnati. 
luK 2 -7. 



.March 1 Q^n Messeiis;er 9 



II 



Faith the Cow, the story of the first animal sent overseas through 
Heifer Proiect International, is in its third printing in six months. The 
children's book has been read on television broadcasts in Lima, 
Ohio, and Sarasota. Fla., and Susan Hoover, author of Faith the 

Cow. was featured \N\\h the 
book in the Troy (Ohio) Daily 
_ _ - News. 

eThe Character Counts 
' Coalition included Faith the 

Cow on its list of recom- 
mended children's books. 
Character Counts is a non- 
■ _ sectarian project that promotes 

^ ** . : character education in schools 

and youth groups. 
Faith the Cow can be purchased for $14.95 through Brethren 
Press Customer Service, (800) 441-3712. 

The Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) allocated $50,000 to two 
projects in late January. EDF will help fund the Habitat for Humanity 
project at Annual Conference in Cincinnati by granting $40,000 to 
the project. A grant of $10,000 was approved for Partners in Ac- 
companiment: Guatemala, a joint project of the Church of the 
Brethren's Latin America Office and Denominational Peace Witness, 
which assists refugees returning to their homes. 

Speaking of the Guatemalan accompaniment program, 

Rebecca Wentling of Annville, Pa., departed for La Esmeralda, 
Guatemala, in early February as the first volunteer to work through 
the Partners in Accompaniment program. There she will help pro- 
vide support and security for long-displaced Guatemalan refugees 
who are returning home. Wentling will be supported by Brethren 
congregations and by the Refugee/Disaster grant as she lives 
among the returnees. Other accompaniers will follow Wentling, and 
some will be linked to Brethren congregations through the accom- 
paniment program. 

The 1996 Legislative Preview from the Church of the Brethren 
Washington Office was released in January. This four-page newslet- 
ter highlights what are expected to be key political issues for Con- 
gress this year— crime, immigration, welfare, chemical weapons, 
endangered species, affirmative action, foreign aid, land mines, the 

1995 Beijing women's conference, agriculture, tobacco, housing, 
and Medicare/Medicaid. The Legislative Preview also includes arti- 
cles concentrating on issues being dealt with in Haiti, the Balkans, 
and Cuba. Each issue is accompanied with a reference to a General 
Board or Annual Conference statement or paper speaking to the 
issue. To request a Legislative Preview, contact the Washington 
Office at (202) 546-3202. 

The North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy 

1996 IS scheduled for April 17-19 in Toronto, Canada. Beth 
Sollenberger-Morphew, director of stewardship education, is on the 
conference committee and is taking interested Brethren with her 



The conference is sponsored by the Ecumenical Center for Stew- 
ardship Studies. Guest speakers will include Alban Institute founder 
Loren Mead. Call Sollenberger-Morphew at (800) 323-8039 for j 

more information. 

North Korea received over $95,000 in money and supplies 

from the Church of the Brethren in January. EDF granted $20,000 to 
aid 500,000 North Koreans who have been affected by flooding last 
summer. An additional $20,000 was granted from the Global Food 
Crisis Fund. In addition, 400 cases of beef from the Southern 
Pennsylvania/Mid-Atlantic Beef Canning project, worth about 
$40,000, is scheduled to be shipped this spring. The shipment also 
will include medical boxes valued at $15,000, provided through 
donations from Brethren in Missouri. 

In addition. General Board staff continue to seek permission from 
the North Korean government to send a disaster response team to 
assist in the rebuilding process. An initiative with Heifer Project 
International to provide livestock also is being explored. 

A packet of 1996 youth theme materials was sent to youth 
advisors in December by Chris Douglas, director of youth and 
young adult ministry. The resources will help advisers and youth 
plan worship services for National Youth Sunday, May 5, based on 
the theme "Searching for God, for hope, for belonging." 

Included in the packet are a theme poster, a Bible study, various 
worship resources, a copy of the 1996 Church of the Brethren 
Youth Fellowship Devotional Booklet, information on the "Generation 
Why" youth curriculum, and materials on the Global Food Crisis 
Fund. For more information, call Douglas at (800) 323-8039. 

A music leadership workshop, a follow-up to last year's "Sing 
Through the Hymnal" conference, is scheduled for August 2-4 at 
Bethany Theological Seminary, Richmond, Ind. The workshop is 
specifically designed for district trainers and people interested in 
leading music in worship services. Sponsoring the workshop are 
Bethany Seminary, Brethren Press, Parish Ministries Commission, ; 
and various distncts. For more information, contact Nancy Faus, 
Bethany Seminary, at (317) 983-1813. ^ 



About 5,100 Gifts of the Heart kits were pro- 
duced by Brethren in 1995, most of which 
were sent to the former Yugoslavia. 

Another shipment of health and school 
kits will be sent to the former Yugoslavia on 
April 20. For indi- 
viduals or congre- 
gations that would 
like to contribute 
kits for that ship- 
ment, contact 
Disaster/ Refugee 
Office at (410) 635- 
8710. Kits must be 
received by April 1 . health kit 




school kit 



10 Messenger March l<5C)b 




by Robin 
Wentworth Mayer 



SlL'ppiiig 5/<i/k'j is ii o'liiiiiii iiflcriiii; 
siiggL'stions. pcnpccliwi. and npiii- 
ioiis — siuipshDls i>f life — ///((/ iiv 
hope arc hclpj'ul to readers in tlieir 
Clirisliau journey. As the i\Titer said 
ill her first iiislalhiiciii. "Reineinher 
ifheii it comes to managing lilc\ 
difficulties, we don't need to iralk 
on ivatci: We just need to learn 
irhere the stepping stones are. " 



STONES 



You don't have to read too 
many self-help books before 
will come aeross the idea 
that you need to be express- 
ing your feelings. But there 
seems to be some eontusion 
about what that means. 
Often, those who sineerely 
attempt it report that it 
baekfires, ereating more 
hurt and alienation. So we 
are going to re\ie\\ Commu- 
nieation 101 . 

Por relationships to giow 
beyond the bounds ot medi- 
ocrity and to transcend the 
superficial, we need to 
acknowledge and own our 
feelings . . . and have the 
freedom to express them. I 
see countless individuals and 
couples, however, stumbling 
in their attempts to put this 
into practice because they 
confuse ft'cliiigs with 
thoughts. 

Ftvliiigs are a spontaneous 
interaction with a person or 
situation. Feelings are con- 
nected to our basic emo- 
tional needs — self- worth, 
love, belonging, and autono- 
my. Feelings, in and of 
themselves, are neither right 
nor wrong, f-^eelings will 
come and go. 

'lliLHights. on the other 
hand, can be controlled and 
changed. They are a pioduct 
ot our education, our reli- 
gious orientation, our atti- 
tudes and prejudices, our 
cullin-e and upbringing. 
When someone has been 
hurt, deepl\ hurl. h\ anoth- 
er's words, what has been 
expressed is usually a 
ihotighi, ntU a feeling. 

So how do you tell the 
difference? 



Realize that feelings tend 
to fall under some very 
broad categories; happiness, 
sadness, anger, hurt, and 
tear are the five most often 
listed. II your intent is to 
express a feeling, you should 
be able to fit your word 
choice undei' one of these 
headings. 

If you are indeed express- 
ing a Iceling, you will be able 
to substitute the phrase "I 
am" Icir the phrase "I feel," 
Listen: I feci angry ... I liiii 
angry. I feci lonely ... I uiii 
lonely. I feci excited ... I iiiii 
excited, \ feci I've been Heel 
to ... I mil l'\e been lied. 
OopsI fhat last one doesn't 
make sense. 'I'hat's because 
a thought slipped in mas- 
querading as a feeling. 

Along the same lines, if 
you find yourself using the 
phrase "I feel thul . . .". be 
careful. What you're about 
to express probably is a 
thought and not a feeling: "I 
feel that you're not doing 
your job." I tiiii that you're 
not doing your job." A 
thought expressed under the 
guise of a feeling equals a 
judgment. A better way to 
say it: "I feel angry over 
your job performance." 

This doesn't mean there 
are no times and places for 
expressing thoughts and 
opinions: there are. But the 
ground rules are different. 
Feelings can't be argued 
with. They need only to be 
acceitted and Lmdersiood. 
Thoughts, on the other 
hand, are the products of a 
numerous sources of infc>r- 
matiem such as peers, 
media, education, politics. 



and religion. When it comes 
to thoughts and opinions, 
these areas need to be open 
tor discussion, negotiation, 
and compromise. 

When you aie on the 
recei\ing end ol someone's 
genuine feelings, you have a 
choice: You can defend, 
which will create distance. 
Or you can empathize, 
which will deepen intimacy. 

Fhat doesn't mean you 
ha\c to enable dcstructi\e 
beha\ior or accept unwar- 
ranted criticism. Simply 
identity with the feeling 
underneath the rest of the 
words. 

It is alse) m\ opinion (not 
feeling) that the very act of 
expressing your feelings 
im|ilies a commitment to the 
relationship and a willingness 
to persevere to a successful 
resolution. This is another 
area where there is a kit of 
damage. Many people w ill 
dump intense, painful feel- 
ings . . . and then vamoose. 
Many a spouse has been 
shocked to hear: "I feel \er\ 
resentful toward you, and 1 
want a disorce." That's not 
dialog. That's hit and run. 

Communication is art, sci- 
ence, and skill. Those who 
are particularly gifted in the 
area can be intimidating to 
ilK)se who are not. But the 
encouragement I hold out to 
you is that the principles 
outlined here aie things an\- 
(.me can learn and use to 
impiONC relationships al 
home, wtirk, school, oi' ii 
church. 

Rol'in Wcniu'orth \Uiver is pits- 
tor of kokoino ilnd J Church ol' the 
Brethren. 



M.irch I'-l^Xi McssL-nucr 11 




ith 



'eitner crazy 

by Patricia Roop Robinson J 



no] 




In rcNponding to 

people w ho aic 

menr.ilK ill, 

\\c in.u tccl 

p.irticul.nh 

unsure of w h.it 

\\e should s.n o\ 

do. ^et the most 

unport.uit 

response is to 

tiT, for it IS never 

in.ippropn.ite to 

demonstrate the 

love of God. 



I was growing up. ni\ knowledge ol mental 
illness was limited at best. The .state hospital 
lor the mentalK ill was located in the 
same count} in which I li\ed. ,\s chil- 
dren, we made jokes about each 
other's beha\ior being enough to get 
us sent to Sykesxille, where 
Springlield State Hospital was locat- 
ed. Liidei'iieath the joking, we knew 
that being sent there was like a death sentence. 
Ov\\\ "crazy" people ended up there. 

it'-- x\o\ just children who fear mental illness. 
Mental illness has been with us since the 
beginning, and is so common that one out ol 
e\er\ live people sutlers from a mental illness. 
Our knowledge ot its causes and symptLiiiis has 
drainaticall\ impro\ed in the last century. Yet 
inental illness is still shrouded in stigma and 
draped with guilt. 

.Margaret and \\'a\ne Keltner knew this all 
too well. I'heir son. Ste\e. was diagnosed as ha\- 
ing paranoid schizophrenia at the age ol 21. At 
the time ot his diagnosis, the pre\alent belief was 
that poor parenting was a factor in many, if not 
in all. mental distM'ders. Mothers, especially, were 
identilied as being the "contributing" culprit. 
Margaret and Wayne were shocked when the\ 
heard this accusation. II it was true. the\ wanted 
tci change their ways before their conduct 
impacted their other three children. 

Margaret carried this guilt tor 20 \cars 
betore she learned ditterently. Getting invoked 
with the National Alliance lor the Mentally III 
helped her gain new insights. Schizophrenia is a 
disease of the brain, not a result of parental tail- 
ure. The amount of a chemical, dopamine, in 
Steve's brain was excessive and the direct cause 
ot his illness. Too little of the same chemical 
could result in Parkinson's Disease. It was a clas- 
sic case of an illness resulting from a chemical 
imbalance. .Margaret and Wayne can now rise up 
and shout "Not guiltyl" But only they can tell 
you h(.)w long, how painful, how lonely their 
search proved to be. 



Because ot our reactions ot unceitainty. tear, 
and blame, people whose friends or tamily mem- 
bers — or even themselves — sutler trom any of 
the various iv pes ot mental illness otlen try to 
address the prt)blems on their own. not sharing 
their burdens w ith their community or family o{ 
faith. And when such experiences are withheld, 
our opportunities to learn more about mental ill- 
ness, about the possibilities tor a caring, helpful 
response, to grow in ^lur abilitv tci provide sup- 
port, are limited. 

How can we break this cvcle'.' We can 
make our ccmgregations safer tor people to 
express such personal needs by becoming more 
intormed about mental illness, respecting the 
wishes ot patient and tamily. and above all. 
responding in the caring, practical, nonjudg- 
mental way ot lesus. 

Demons, death, and the ^ 
growth of understanding ^ 

1o some, emphasis on the gospel as a guide to 
respc>nding to mental illness is tearful because 
the stories in the gospels portray mental illness 
as evidence ot demon jiossession: 

".And when (lesus) had stepped out ol 
the boat, immediately a man out of the 
(ombs with an unclean spirit met him. 
He lived among the tombs; and no one 
could restrain him any more, even with a 
chain . . . Night and dav among the tombs 
and on the mountains he was alwavs 
howling and bruising himself with 
stones. When he saw lesus from a dis- 
tance, he ran and bowed down betore 
him: and he shouted at the top o'i his 
voice. "What have you to do with me. 
lesus. Son of the Most High God? 1 
abjure you by God. do not torment me.' 
For he had said to him. "Come out of 
the man. vou unclean spirit.' Then lesus 
asked him. 'W hat is vour name'.'' He 



12 .Mcsscnsjcr March l9Pb 



1 



xnciean 



I'cplied. "My name is Legion: tor we ai'e 
many. " (lesus ordered the unclean spir- 
its to leave the man and enter a herd of 
swine, which rushed to the sea and 
drowned.) (Mark 5:2-15, NRSV) 

These verses suggest that the man had a 
mental disorder. Because of a lack of knowledge 
of mental disorders' causes and treatments, the 



common heliet in biblical limes was that the\ 
resulted from demonic possession, ^et lesus did 
not shun this man. He treated him with comiias- 
sion and with imderstanding. This was the same 
approach lesus used with lepers, the blind, and 
others having physical ailments, jesus underlaid 
the healing tools available to him with faith and 
compassion just as we tr\ to underlay the tools 
a\ailable toda\ with similar taith and com|ias- 



illl) 



You and your church can help 




hndividuals and families 
suffering mental illness 
need the same caring, 
supportive response 
given to patients with 
physical illnesses. 

• Include lamilics and patients on 
your prayer list, lust because someone 
is not quickly or easily cured doesn't 
mean he may not be "healed " by 
prayer. Not continuing prayer suggests 
that even the faith community has 
abandoned hope. 

• Offer families respite from the 
constant care of their loved one with a 
mental illness. Provide substitute care- 
givers; the permanent caregivers some- 
times need a night or a weekend away. 

• Offer support groups tor the men- 
tally ill and theii- lamilics. This may 
need to be an ecumenical effort if the 
need is not great in your own congrega- 
tion. Existing ci.>mmunity groups such 
as RecONcry, Inc.. or Emotions 
Anonymous can help with this. 

• Know w hen symptoms are more 
serious than just a mild case of the 
"blues." Don't be afraid to ask if a per- 
son is feeling suicidal. Give people per- 



mission to talk about how the\ are 
feeling, without fear of judgment, lake 
the person seriously and assist in find- 
ing help. 

• Know where to refer a person for 
mental health help in your CLimmunity. 
Begin with i\ hospital or social sei\ice 
agenc\. 

• Make mental health a Sunday 
school curriculum topic. Read \i) 
LuiiiJcr AUuw: Mciiiiil Heiilih tiihl the 
Church as part of your Sunda\ school 
class activity. 

• Preach ihc gasjicl in your congi'c- 
gation. A punitive, judgmental God has 
ne\er helped anyone out of the morass 
of mental illness. More often this only 
aggravates the problem. 

• Have a Mental Health Sunday. Let 
people tell their stories. Bi'ing in a men- 
tal health piotessional to gi\e accmate 
infcirmation about complex disorders. 

• lour a mental health facility in 
your area. Dispel any myths or precon- 
ceptions your church may ha\e about 
such facilities. 

• \'c)lunteer at a state mental hospital. 
Dispel \our personal myths. People with 



mental illnesses are real people who ha\e 
their own personalities. Lhcy have joys 
and concerns not unlike vour own. 

• Include individuals dealing with 
mental illness in the lite of your congre- 
gation if they su desire. (One congiega- 
tion drafted a query to distiict meeting 
seeking more inclusion for the mentally 
impaired.) The mentally ill have gifts 
and talents too. Encourage them. 
Nurture them. 



burgh has been the site for up to 1 2 
families cif the mcntallv ill to gather, 
worship, and discuss their concerns 
over the last several years. As co-leader 
of this event, I was heartened to see 
some of the pain being relieved as these 
families expressed themselves openly 
and honestly. 

.Most of these suggestions come livm 
that experience as well as from my 
work with Pathwavs to Promise, an 
ecumenical organization educating clci- 
gv' and laypeople oi the needs oi the 
mcntallv ill. and from work on health 
and welfare committees o\ the L'hurch 
of the Brethren and Mennoniles. 
— PviUKrv Roop R(,)iii\NO\ 



Maivh K>Hi \lcsscnaci 13 



jc'MIS lIIldlM I.licl 

ilu' IumIiiio tools 

.n.ul.iblc to Iiiin 

\\ itli 1.1 1 til .ind 

coinp.isMon jiist 

as we tr\ to 

imdcil.n the 

tools .n.iilablc 

tod.u wifii 

similar faith and 

compassion. 



sion. Dt'spilc llic \;isi inciCiisc in oui iiiulcr- 
sUiiulinsi ol incnKil illness, ihcic is nu less nccel 
l(.)d;i\ lor cinpalhic undcisuiiulinj;. 

The belicl lluil nicnlal illness sleninieel lioin 
tleninnie |xiss;.'ssuin iIrI nol (.lie e;isil\, IHning 
ihe I 7lh ^mkI I8ih eenluiies, ihoiisiinds ol nien- 
|jll\ ill people were executed in I'nrope. nKin\ 
h\ iigeneies ol ihe eluneli. The heliel in witches 
;ind demons aKo was coninion in the New 
World, \ccusalioiis ol wileherall and demonic 
possessitin letl to imprisonment, public pimish- 
nicnl. and ileath. Ii\en today. man\ peeiple 
showing signs ol ment.il illness scimetimes aie 
llioLighl [o he victims ol the devil aiul his snpcr- 
iialm'al associates. 



^ he l'-1lh century finallv saw seri- 
ous allempts to ec|uale "mad- 
"■ .■ |5r„%'-^ ness" with phvsical. emotional. 
. aiul social lactors. Treatment 
became slightly more luimane. 
aiul lesponsihle pciiple ileiiiantl- 
ed ■'moral treatment" lor the 
insane. During this period the Quakers lounded 
I rieiids' \s\lum kn the Insane in I bi I 7 in 
I'hiladelphia. Initiallv. the clergy played a signifi- 
cant rule in patient treatment, yielding onlv gratl- 
uallv to "specialists. " Dorothea Di\. a L iiilaiian. 
crusaded lor relorm. To her. imprisonitig the 
nientalK ill with criminals was wrong. As had 
been true ol the Ouakers. her ellorts were graik 
ually replaced In what mav he teinieel "the med- 
ical model." 

The role of medicine , 
and the faith community 

I hroughoul the evolution ol treatment methods, 
there has been divisiveness between the medical 
anti laith ciimmimities. Such division implies 
that mental illness is either a sickness ul the soul 
or ol the body, not some combination ol both. 
L nloitimalelv . thai either or thinking still laige- 
ly persists in l'-)'-)b. However, many mental 
health professionals believe that adequate treat- 
ment of menial illness must combine appropriate 
medical. ps\elK)social. and spiritual approaches. 



We ]\cl\\ to use all ol ou\ available resources il 
v\ e are to bring health antl wholeness to a 
patient's mind 

I he interaction belwi.-en the lailh and meil- 
ical communities is ciilical because oiyv "^0 pcr- 
cciil oj ilic iiicniiillv ill first scclx help froiii their 
church. I his huge percentage mav be surpris- 
ing, yet manv ol us were taught that the church 
is a place ol healing and wholeness, lo many 
patients, mental illness liisi manilests ilsell as 
sinne sort ol spiiitual |iroblem. Diu'ing severe 
depression. i.ine's laith mav vanish just as does 
one's appetite and interest in dailv aspects ol 
living, Ihe church can play a critical role, then, 
in the pers(.in's icRiinev to health. 'Ihe initial 
responses that beleaguerei.1 people receive Irom 
their churches may well determine the outcome 
or length of their illnesses, 

Solt tinn-awav phiases such as: "Pray 
iiKirc' : or "W hen \ou change jobs c'r go lo col- 
lege, things will get better"; ov "You'll outgrov\ 
il" are not enough. Iiisteael ihev mav onlv 
increase a growing leeling ol hopelessness, guilt, 
and shame. What we need to work toward is 
honest understanding aiul response, when some- 
one in the church truly hears the cry lor helji. 
understands the pain, and directs the patient to a 
source Lil psvchialiic help, 

Ideallv, the persLtn needling help will be 
diiecled lo .1 Irained clinical iherapist (psychia- 
Irisi, psvchologist. social workei". or prtilessional 
counselor) who is able lo address all ol the 
patient's mental concerns, whether thev are reli- 
gious, familial, oi' phvsicallv generaled. I hese all 
plav a critical role in sell -perception and tiverall 
mental health, 

I lequenlK , patients are consitieied "ill 
because thev have exceetled their own personal 
limits, i.imils var\ Irom person to person. 
Therelore. just as a di.ibelie has lo aviiitl or limit 
the intake c>l sugar, a jierson predisi"ioscd lo 
depression needs lo limit exposure to stress. 
Time away Irom work or longer vacations may 
prove essential. Such people need to understand 
their own daily cycles and schedule critical work 
for times when thev are best able to cope with 
cMcinal pressures. 



14 Mcsscnacr March f^lb 



A personal journey ^^ 

These comments reflect ni\ peisonal experience 
with clinical depression during m\ second year in 
college. 1 had battled depression during high 
school, but thought 1 would be line when I 
entered college. Everyone told me that college 
was to be the magic cure, and I wanted to believe 
that. By all outward appearances. I had nothing 
to be depressed about in my lite. I was populai' 
with the college student body and was an officer 
of my freshman class. I was in the May Day 
court. My grades were average, which distressed 
me since I had very high standards for myself. I 
failed to appreciate my own built-in limits and 
attempted to cany 18 couise hours, woik a part- 
time job, and participate in e\ery campus musical 



event. I was attempting to be the "perfect" stu- 
dent in every way. 

hisomnia was warning me that 1 had to slow 
down, that 1 was overcommiiied. 1 didn't know, 
however, how to become uncommitted. 1 thought 
I iiiiist do all these things; 1 saw other people 
doing them. Never was I told that people have 
niajoi' personality differences as well as physical 
cines: We are not all able to do the same things. 

I began to take prescribed sleeping medica- 
lii.in. One pill a night became two pills a night. I 
would check into the inlitinary just to get a 
night's sleep. Finally I knew I was heading lor 
addiction it I didn't stop the (.nermedication, and 
I called my parents. They came immediately and 
brought me home. After being licune a few days I 
beuan to feel bettei' and e\en ihouijht about 



0\er 50 percent 
of the mentally 

ill first seek 

help from their 

church. 



iillJFl Anabaptist churches and mental health 




Over 50 years ago, a 
small group of conscien- 
tious objectois made a 
profound difference in 
the treatment of people 
with mental illness in the L nited States. 

World War 11 was a catalyst for 
ser\ice for Mennonite and Brethren 
churches. Most of us are familiar 
with the shipping of clothing, medical 
supplies, refugee resettlement, and 
Heilei- I'loject. Conscientious objectors 
(COs), primarily representing Brethren, 
Mennonites. Quakers, and Methodists, 
who worked in Civilian Public Service 
(Cl'S) during the war years, served in 
projects such as forest service, sc>il cc)n- 
servation, emergency farm labor, med- 
ical service, training for relief work, 
and mental hospital service. 

The severe shortage of attendants in 
mental hospitals provided the opportu- 
nity lor service, but resistance to con- 
scientious objectors delayed approval 
tor COs to serve their time in the hos- 



pitals until \'^42. Several men were en 
route to Hlgin (111.) State Hospital in 
1Q42 when they were told that opposi- 
tion from the local American Legion 
and the hospital's labor union wcaild 
pre\ent them fi\im ser\ing there. It 
wasn't until later in 1942 that service 
actually began at Eastern State Hospital 
in Williamsburg, Va. 

Hospital locations expanded to other 
parts of Virginia and to Ohio, Mary- 
land, Connecticut, Maine, New lersey. 
and Washingtcm. The men served 
mainly as ward attendants, pro\'iding 
custodial care. 

The men were hoiiified at the condi- 
tions they Itumd. One workei' assigned 
to 1 OU patients was a normal ratio. 
Locked wards and barred windows 
were standaid. Conditions wei'c mow 
like a prison than a hospital coiuluci\e 
to healing and wholeness. 

The COs began to go public with 
their observations. Iciurnalists published 
their findings. As a result, resisjnations 



of flighty placed olticials in mental 
health deliveiy systems took place. 
With mc)re humane ti'catment. patients 
began to respond. 

Out of this ser\ice and other piojects 
came the mental h\giene piogram o\ 
CPS. which promoted education and 
research to meet institutional needs. 
This program e\entuall\ developed in 
1Q46 into the National Mental Health 
Foundation, flic COs shook the \ei\ 
foundations ot the mental health care 
system in the Lnitei.1 States. 

After the war, tlie Mennonites wcni a 
step further. I'hey created their i.)wii 
mental health delivery system. Bixnik 
Lane l's\chiatric Center in FLigerstown, 
Md., was the first ol the eight hospitals 
spread across the country. They hiwc 
recei\ed commendations fiom Ffie 
National histitutes oi Flealth for their 
work in the field. A history of thcii' 
story is ttuind in I he Tiiniiiiii I'oiiii b\ 
Alex Sareyan (Herald Piess). 

PVI'RICIA ROOV I\(.1HI\SI.)\ 



MarJi I'-T-Xi ,\1c^scnsl.■l■ 15 




1 Idiw crossiitg 

a brook over a 

piciiivcsifiic stone 

hridiic provides the 

name for Brook 

l.ane I'sycliiatric 

Center, the first 

of eifilit hospitals 

developed by 

Mennonites 

in response to 

mental illness. 



rcliirning and coniplotiiig in> 
soplii'niorc \car. 

I Ikii I began \o cxpLTioncc 
insomnia again. I kist my \ision. 
M\ speech became sIuitccI. 
Snieiile was uppermo^l in m\ 
mind. Once I uenl uulsitle wiih 
a kiiilc lo cut some llowers and 
needed \o lun inside die house 
lo la\ il dcn\ n because I hatl an 
o\ei \\ hehning urge \o turn ihe 
knile against m\seh. M\ Clod! I 
was one ol thv)se pci.iple with 
mental illness, and I knew it. 

I hati to seek lielp, but lind- 
ing ellecti\e help pio\ed (.litli- 
cult. I was lamil\- and cluirch- 
oriente(.l. but m\ problems wcfe possibly be\ond 
iheif pcisc)nal ability to ellecli\el\ lespcind. I 
needed pfolcssional help, anil it took move than 
one attempt to tind the right place and the right 
people. l.\en then I experienced the dc\astation 
ol hearing, in the context o\ a sermi'ii. ■■!! people 
had enough laith. the\ wtuikl not becL'me mcn- 
tall\ ill." linallv a combinaticin o\ medications. 
IC'I (electroei.in\ uLsi\e theiap\). and psy- 
chotherapy bn,iught results that were nothing 
short III (.Iramatic — spiritual, emotional, aiul 
l^livsieal healing. Much later I returned to ci'llege 
and completed m\ imdeigrailuate work, taking 
courses at my own pace. Ilien. when circimi- 
slances permitted. I pinsued graduate work in 
pastoral coimseling. On a \er\ personal basis. I 
understi.io(.l the need to integrate the beha\ioral 
sciences with the personal laith experience. 

I became aware th.it health CLincerns weie 
being intentii.>nall\ addressed within the C'lun'ch 
t)l the Brethren and attended conlerences held by 
llie Brethren liealth and Wellarc .Association 
tiiow the Associalii'n ol Brethren Caregi\crs — 
ABC). It was exciting to see that others in the 
laith ciimmunitv nntleistoiKJ this need kir the 
church t(.i be in\oKed in the health o\ its mem- 
bers. I beciime co-cooixlinator ol the mental 
health task group tor ABC .And during this peri- 
od, in IQ8cS, I became an ordained minister. 

Alter I completed my graduate studies. I also 
completed the courses needed to gain stale of 



Maryland and national certillcalion as a prol'es- 
si(.inal ctuniselor therajiist. hi 1^)87 I began niy 
emploMiient at Brook I aiie i's\cliiatric Center as 
associate chaplain and pastoral couiisel(.)r. I con- 
tinue in this iiile today and see both hospital 
inpatients ami outpatients. 

Hope and compassion * 

I tell these personal details because tlie\ ma\ 
oiler hope lo others lacing some lorni ol mental 
illness. And I aKei hope they can adil lo the 
uiulerstaiiding c)l those who nia\ nc\er ha\e had 
close contact with somciine who is mentall\ ill. 
Mental illness is mostly treatalilc. People can and 
do I'ecoNcr. I lie\ do go on to li\e |iroducli\e and 
lullilling li\es. 

The eltecis ol the xai'ious loiiiis ol mental 
illness ililler. And some loniis cil mental illness 
are not yet as tieatable as others. But people 
need to understand that patients with inca|"iaci- 
tating mental illness still benefit tioni suppi'ii. 
The\ need the lo\e. the undeistanding. and the 
ciMicern ol their faith communities. 

In kihn '^■.\ 7, lesus a|iproaches a blind 
man with compassion and understanding. No 
c|uestions are asked. No judgments are made, 
lie heals him. But iusi as mam ol us would do. 
his disciples want to ask alxuit guill. Surely 
simieonc was to blame. Jo them, that seemed to 
be nii'ie important than the possibility that sight 
could be restored. 

lesus made the situation clear to his disci- 
ples. Ciiiilt is not the issue. No iiiic is guilty — not 
the man. not his parents. No one is to blame. No 
line is cia/A. Nci one is unclean. Our respcmse 
should not be judgment, but wiirk that re\eals 
the lo\e and light of Ciiid. 

As Christians, we aie called to lespond with 
compassion [o those in need. In responding to 
people who are mentally ill, we may feel particu- 
larly unsure ol what we should say or do. \cl the 
most important response is to try. lor it is never 
inappropriate to demonstrate the kne ot God. 

May all our congregations become places ol 
lo\e, not blame — of hope, not fear. And let ii 
us all journey together toward healing. 

I'laricia K<u)p Kohinsnii ;> n member iij / iiioii Hridiic 
i Mil. I Church nj the Brcilircn. 



16 Mcsscnaor March 1006 




What is mental illness? 



1 he tci'iii mental illness 
is used for a number ot 
disorders that cause 
severe disruption in 
thini\ing, feeling, and 
relating. Anyone — no matter what age, 
economic status, or race — can develop 
a mental illness. At any given time, 
50—45 million Americans, about one in 
five, suffer from a clearly diagnosable 
mental disorder that reduces their 
capacity to cope with the ordinary 
demands of work, school, or daily life. 

Mental illness is not the same as 
mental letardation. People who are 
mentally retarded generally have a 
diminished intellectual capacity from 
birth. Those with mental illnesses usu- 
ally have normal intelligence, although 
they may have difficulty performing at a 
normal level because of their illness. 

Depression 

Depression is probably the most com- 
monly diagnosed emotional problem. 
While everyone feels "blue" occasional- 
ly, for some people, such a feeling lasts 
a long time, accompanied by feelings 
ol guilt and hopelessness. Up to one 
quarter ot all Americans suffer from 
such a depression at some point in 
their life. Psychiatrists categorize it as 
an "atlective" disorder, that is, related 
to emotions. 

People suffering scfciv ilcprcssioii may 
have several of the following charac- 
teristics: 



difficulty sleeping 

loss of inteiest in daily activities 

kiss of appetite 

fatigue 

• feelings of worthlessness, guilt, 

and hopelessness 

• despondency 

• inability to concentrate 

• possible psychotic symptoms 

• suicidal thoughts and even actions 

Some people suffer Irom a manic- 
depressive disorder, in which their 
moods may swing from depression to 
an abnormal elation or hyperactivity, in 



theii- manic period, they may have the 
tollowing characteristics: 

• boundless energy, enthusiasm, and 

need tor activity 
decreased need for sleep 
grandiose ideas and poor judgment 
rapid, loud, disorganized speech 
short temper; argumentativeness 

• impulsive and erratic behavior 

• delusional thinking 

• rapid switch to severe depression. 

Sometimes depression is a result of 
stress or grief, but in some cases there 
is no external cause. Given treatment, 
primarily psychotherapy and medica- 
tion, most people with depression can 
recover and lead full lives. 

Schizophrenia 

Schizophrenia also refers to a group of 
serious and disabling mental illnesses, 
caused by a biochemical imbalance in 
the brain, although researchers still are 
searching tor more information on 
causes. Approximately one person in a 
hundred develops schizophrenia, usual- 
ly in the late teens or early twenties. 

IVlyths about schizophrenia abound. 
People with schizophrenia do not have 
a "split personality" and ai'e not prone 
to criminal violence. Schizophrenia 
cannot be cured, but it can be con- 
trolled. Like people with diabetes, peo- 
ple with schizophrenia probably will 
have to be permanently under medical 
care for the rest of their life. 

Some ot the characteristics of schizo- 
phrenia include: 

• disconnected, contusing language 

• poor leasoning, memoiv. and 

judgment 

• high levels of anxiety 

• eating and sleeping disorders 

• hallucinations 

• delusions, persistent false beliefs 

• deterioration of appearance and 

personal hygiene 

• loss of motivation and poor 

concentration 

• withdrawal from others 



Anxiety 



When fear becomes an irrational, per- 
vasive terror or a nagging worry or 
dread that interferes with daily life, a 
person may be suffering from some 
form ot anxiety disorder. Approximately 
50 million Americans suffer serious 
anxiety symptoms. Under the broad 
category of severe anxiety are included: 

• Phobic disorders: irrational, terri- 
fying fears about a specific object, 
social situations, or public places. 
Agoraphobia, one of the most serious 
social phobias, causes terror of either 
being alone or being in public places. 

• Panic attacks: occur unpredictably, 
sometimes accompanied by a specific 
phobia. They often create a sudden, 
intense apprehension, fear, or terroi', 
and can cause heart palpitations, chest 
pain, choking or smothering sensations, 
dizziness, hot and cold flashes, or trem- 
bling and faintness. 

• Obsessive-cc)mpulsi\e disorder: 
Though not often thought of as a form 
of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive 
behaviors reflect a person's uneasiness 
about the woild. Obsessions — recur- 
ring, persistent, and involuntary 
thoughts or images — often occur with 
compulsions — repetitive, ritualistic 
behaviors. The person does not get 
pleasure fiom such behavior, and. in 
fact, recognizes that it is excessive and 
has no real pmpose. 

The causes ot these anxiety disorders 
are not entirely clear, although studies 
have indicated that traumatic childhood 
events or chemical imbalances may be 
connected. .Again, a combination of 
medication and psychotherapx often 
ettecti\ely treats the mental illness. 

Cniuivlcil linill "McllUll lllllcss h I Wl'vhnilv'y. 
Hii\iiicss." In' ihc \i.:niiihil [lliiiiwc lur ihc 
Mciildllv III i\ 1 \//i ciihl ■MciUiil llhic>.s I lure 
\iv a i ol ()/ Tnnihlcil Pcaple " hv ilie \iiicnciiii 
I'syehiLilric -\sf.iiciiilii'ii 



M,ii-Lh Kl^lo McssL-nscr 17 







ncovering 



th 



e 



by Phil Grout 





lust as this 

^aidcn I.n 

Iro/cn iindci' 

tlic snow, just as 

It once Ia\' 

iindcf dirt and 

dcbns, God s 

liizht has al\\a\'s 

been iheie, 

encasmo a 

lio/en lock or 

thaw mo a 

frozen heart lelt 

whimpeirna rn 

the darkness. 



I is Ja\ Iwo pl iIk- Uli//;iii.l ol ''-")(i. \K)ic 
llum Iwo led ol siHiu has cincicd oiii' woeiils. 

Twice \csicnla\ I snakci_l ihroiiuh llic 
' ' ' lapaiu'sc iiaitlcn and shovclcti nn wax 
lip In ihc sliidiu, \ihI wilh c\ci\ ihird 

^ hiic 1.11- so I Lincovcicd another seelion ol 
s|eppinj:-sioiies ihal nioiilhs at!o had letl 
lis past a/alea hloonis ami lenis. on K) 
ihe maioini lihiiree ol a lace-leal 
lapaiiese maple, alonj: wilh splashes ol da\ lil\ 
oiaiiLics and \ellows and reds. 

loda\ llie t;aslK'd. while palli slices nnder- 
nealh ihe scaled, reddish arms ol a pii/ed dawn 
redwood Iree and rnns over chips ol blue ihe 
Iraces ol what had been ihe nealK raked "sea" ol 
blue hasali sione spreading: oiii ihroii;^h ihe /.en 
seclion ol ihe garden. \ gi'a\ish paleh ol sktne 
piolindes lixim ihe lallesi while mouiul and is 
II. inked b\ Iwo larger hul shorler luimps under 
wIiIlIi ni.issive bonklers slumber, unaware ol ihe 
maelsironi swirliiiL' abo\e iheir while blankels. 

I tlig laslei .IS I near ihe rocks, Ihe 4t)-miles- 
perdiour wind makes il dillieull lo hear, so I gel 
on mv knees, prolecled In .1 new p.iir ol waler- 
prool smiw paiils ihal laugh al ihe cokl. I ike 
some siiange aicheokigisi. I biush aside ihe linal 
la\ei ol snow lo lind ihe bed ol rounded ii\er 
rocks I lia\e collecletl o\er ihe \ears. I am close, 
bui I siill hear iiolhing againsi ihe wind's luiv. iUil 
iheii ihe howl hushes lor a momeiil. and I hear 
ihal m\ Ireasure is siill ali\e. I here under moie 
ih.in l\\o leel ol snow is ihe l.imili.ir gurgle ihal 
joineil ihe sounds ol ihe Iree hogs and kalvdids lo 
lull us to sleep so m.iiu summer nights ago. 

I he stiund is mullled inside a cr\slal siiell ol 
ice thai houses a small stream ol water constaniK 
batliing a li\e-incli. rounded rock. Sixteen \ears 
ago. I stood along the lieJiridean Sea and stalled 
at this stiiped. whiie-gra\ black beaui\. debating 
whether oi- not to add its live piuinds to m\ back- 
pack. And e\er\ time I ga/e into its singular, 
gravish e\e il gi\es me a glimpse again ol the 



West Highlands of Scotland. Uidav the water 
dances .leross the ri>ek lace, which seems to wink 
at me liom under its ho/en ilispla\ case, ami the 
remains ol our g.irden pool remind me ihal e\en 
in our coldest, darkest moments, hope siill 
springs eternal, h is a metaphor I hatl turned my 
back on live veais .ig(.i. 

I ive vears ago no water llowed here. Ihere 
were iK) a/aleas, no jap.inese maples, no tlawn 
redwood, wo waving lerns. I lieie were iKi 
stepping-stones and no gurgle ol water dancing 
iiround m.issive bonklers. In lact. this bit ol par- 
adise w.is buried under piles ol dirt, scallereil tim- 
bers, cement bags, concrete blocks, and discarded 
pallets. We were in the midst ol luiilding .1 stLidio 
and ollice so that I could have a place to work at 
home. I his was the eonsiruction site dump. 

.As the dump grew . I discovered some new 
leelings. \i hrst il was a tinge ol an\iet\ as I 
glanced out the kitchen window ,ind started to 
notice the growing pile ol tiebi is. Kul ihen 1 real- 
ized I was standing at the window lor longer peri- 
ods, and the .in\ielv was lasting longer loo. Il 
slaved with me even when I wasn'l .il ihe window. 

I he consiruclion siop|ie(,l with the ousl.iughi 
ol winter, .iiul mv view Irom the wiiukiw became 
an obsession. Slowlv. i.lark ihoughls crepl in. 

lor neailv "lO vears mv eves have led me 
around the world on a journev capturing 
moments thai otherwise would p.iss me bv . Mv 
camera has been a third eve. Mv vision had been 
out iheie lor so long, il was slrange to sense il 
turning inward. I was Irighiened lo see the meta- 
morphosis lioni light lo dark. I discovered I was 
Iransporling the view ol the dump and easting il 
inside. I started to et|uale mv being with that ol 
the tinmp worthless debris. 

I could sense mv downward slide, but I 
seemed unable to pick mvsell up out iil the pit ol 
depression. I attempted lo lintl some reliel 
tliix)Ugh lenglhv pravers that always began with 
"lieavenK bather . . .". and v\ould t'o on some- 



18 Messenger March IQACi 



d 



en 



times for hours as 1 searched tor a 
ghmmer of hght. 

Eventually nn strength weakened 
to the point at which I could mumble 
only the words "heavenly Father." Then 
the words were deadened as I drifted away 
into a type ot catatonic speechlessness. I 
mustered up "happy" words for my wife, who 
I sensed left for school each morning wondering 
what she would find of me w hen she returned. I 
saxed the pleadings for the cast of psychologists, 
one ot whom was convinced I suffered from sys- 
temic canadiasis — the mother of all yeast infec- 
tions. He had me on a diet that left me panic- 
stricken at the grocery as I studied evei y content 
label before I placed the food in my cart, tearful 
that the "wrong" food would make me crazier. 

Then I found a new source of energy. My 
waking moments were consumed by the darkly 
playful task of sorting through my options for 
ending the pain forever. 

1 begged my regular psychologist to refer me 
to a psychiatrist who might be able to help me 
with medication. He declined the referral, so I 
referred myself. I was obviously depressed and 
suicidal, harboring active thoughts about an 
attempt. So the new psychiatrist prescribed 50 
tablets of a powerful antidepressant. After three 
days of the new regimen, the dark thoughts 
remained; it wasn't like aspirin and a headache. I 
deducted it three won't do it. why not 4b. That 
thought neaily erased everything. I was on a res- 
pirator tor two days. 

On June 21, f QO 1 . my wife followed the trail 
of vomit and found me coflapsed in bed. 1 had 
taken a massive dose of Lithium and I'rozac in a 
second suicide attempt. After the first attempt 
three weeks earlier, 1 promised hci- I would not 
try again. But during the final week. I was con- 
vinced the blackness would never end. Hell could 
be no worse than this. 

I had broken my promise lo this woman who 




had been the love of m\ lite tor 21 years. 
Through a mixture o( frustration, hurt, and 
anger came the words "Do you want me ti.i leave 
so \ou can finish it?" But the woman who sa\ed 
my life then asked. "Or do you want to live?" 
And in tiie muflled voice of a child I whispered. 
"I want to live." 

Within a halt hour I was inching my way 
back up out ot the pit, gagging dov\n a stomach 
pump tube. 

uring the next two weeks, the 
blackness was explained to me. 
After 45 years, I started to get 
some answers. My psychiatrist 
at the psychiatric hospital looked 
at me and said, "'^'ou are going to 
rcccwcr from tfiis. You ha\e what is 
called Bipolar Altective Disorder or manic- 
depression. I have depression too." 

I learned that my illness was not the shame- 
ful result of a defective character, as I believed 
tor so man\ \ears. I was born with several 
mechanical problems that affected m\ lelf hip 
and my left kidney. I was also born with a delect 
in my brain that caused a depletion of certain 
neuiological chemicals called neureiti'ansmitlers: 
they control the flow of impulses and infoi-ma- 
tion though tile brain. The chemical maelstrom 
was also affecting my mood and sense ol well- 
being. Sometimes, the ride wxnild take me on 
wondei'ful highs, and then it wcnild thrciw me 




The frozen 
remains of our 

garden pool 
remind me that 

even in our 
coldest, darkest 
moments, hope 

still springs 

eternal. It is a 

metaphor I had 

turned my back 

on five years aao. 



March hWb Mcvst-naci 19 




nuimo m\' linal 
w L-L-k in tlu" 
hospital, I 
disco\ cicd lll.lt 
the .lit 1st in mc 
w .is still .line. I 

w out to the 

ccr.unic studio 

.md s.it .It t hf 

potter s w hool 

\ov the lust t line 

in 10 \ e.irs. 



into the ilcpilis ol depression lolall) oul of m\ 
(.\>iin\il, 1 iilsi.) k'anK\l. howcxer. ihal certain 
i,ln.ig'~ such as the simple s;ili liiiiiuin earbunate 
ei_iukl stabilize the ciieniieal imbalance in iii\ 
biain. I learned that I cenild li\e liappilx .iikI pio- 
i.lneli\el\ in spite ol the disordei that twice had 
almost killed me. 

OiiriiiL: m\ final week in the hospital. I also 
disco\crcd til. II the .ulist in me was siill ali\e. I 
went to the ceramic studio and sat at the potter's 
wheel lor the tlrsi time in 10 \ears. 1 look a 
handliil ol cl.i\. slapped it down on the wheel and 
created a rather primiti\e. set Ircasureti. Japanese 
tea bowl. I was leai'nint; how to blow upon the 
tin\ glow ol coal burning deep insitie mc. 




■5J>" 



cver.il months alter m\ dischai'ge. I 
^IockI .It the ei-lge ol the tlump 
and starei.1 at the debris and 
nieiunds ol dirt. I put on m\ 
work glo\es. grabbed a sluncl. 
.md started to unearth the first 
siepping-stone. .A pick and dig- 
ging ircni mo\ed the second stone into pkice. and 
the third onl\ needed to ha\e the dirt brushed 
off. It could ne\er be mosed by hand. Ciradualls 
a path ol boulders was taking shape. 

I:\entuall\. there was nioie path than dump. 
I ha\e a fa\orite photograph that hangs in niv lab. 
It depicts the llist phase of the l.ipanesc garden 
in the midst i,)l its lirsi winter storm. It is also one 
ol the first pluitographs I made alter a lengtliv 
hiatus. \I\ illness had prompted me to put down 
my camera lor what seemed like an eternity, liie 
pain and sutlcring 1 witnessed through m\ lens. 
coupled with the illness, matle me fearful of e\er 



looking into the black bo.x again. 

During the following year of my reco\ery. 
azaleas, rhodadendrons anil Kousa dogwoods 
were planted in the lormer dump site, along with 
a special Japanese maple Ironi m\ psychiatric 
hospital. I hen I cut a sircambed through the gar- 
den, and in a modified Karensansui style I filled it 
with bluish gra\ and white stones to create the 
illusion ol iTinning water when the sim hit it iust 
light. More photographs came Irom the garden 
as it c\ol\ed. .And then came the confidence to 
take on regular photo assignments again. 

And instead ol laying on my back lor hours 
in m\ new "dark room," staring into the dark- 
ness searching lor the slightest hint ol an\ ph\s- 
ical and spiritual light. I was now creating new 
plunographs in what had been a ha\en from the 
light ol da\. 

Louring that secontl winter after my hospital- 
ization. I stumbled upon a wa\ of e\oking 
impressionistic colois Irenn black .md white 
chemistiv and paper. I truly was finding m\ light 
within that wondcrtui darkness, which at times 
w.is un(irthodo\icall\ lilk\l with da\lighl during 
part ol the print de\eki|'>ment process. I he sun- 
light was intensifving the colors o\ the new, ni\s- 
tical images. loda\ much of nn work is in that 
place where I used to hide and plead with m\ 
"hea\enl\ lather" to show me the light. e\en if it 
be a wa\ lc> end m\sell and the tlaikness fore\ei'. 

I he blizzard has subsided, and I see a patch 
ol blue to the south. For months I struggled to 
create the illusion of a streambcd rambling 
though this garden, and now in less than two 
d.ivs. a sea ol white wases has crashed upon this 
woodhmd paradise aiul burietl the make-believe 
water two lect below , 

Bin o\cr here, the gurgle continues inside 
the cr\stal dome. And just a little bit farther. I 
brush away some more snow along the rock 
ledge to find this treasured artifact from my past. 

And for this nuiment. 1 caress the impertec- 



20 Mcvvcnacr Marcli IQQb 



tion of a lapanese tea bowl made near the bot- 
tom of insanilN long, long ago. 

"Flea\enly Father: lust as this garden lies 
frozen under two feet ol snow, just as it onee lay 
buried under mounds of dirt and debris. \our 
light has always been here, eneasing a frozen 
roek or thawing a frozen heart left whimpering 
in the darkness. |ust as you guided my hands 
ai'ound a lump of elay . you taught me lo blow 



upon the tiny, glowing coal deep within my 
heart. \ou taught me to hear the flowing of the 
water in the middle of a blizzard, to leel \our 
caress as you ran >x)ur fingers rLiund ni\ li 

imperfections. Amen." 

I'luiut'^niphcr niilcr t'hit Gnnii. a inciiibcr oj 
\\cb.tminslcr (Md.) Cluiivli o/ llic Hrciliivn. has pho- 
lo^niphcil -\iiiiiuil Coiilcrcncc uihl ullicr cil'iii^ aihl created 
iihiiiy plioli) initiiies for the Church nl the Hiethrcii- 




Resources on mental illness 



• I'iiilnwYs It) 
I Liulcrsiaihliiig: A Manual 
on Miiiisiiy & Menial 
Illness. Student copy: 
S25: histructor copy: S50. Send order 
and payment to: Pathways to Promise. 
5400 Arsenal St.. St. Louis, MO 
63139-1424; (314) 544-8400: FAX 
(314) b44-8834. 

• Pathways 10 i nderstamling: A 

\ ideotape on Mliusiry S: Mental Illness. 
S20 a videotape. Order from Pathways 
to Promise (see above). 

• .\ Minister's Handbook of.Mental 
Disorders. Joseph W. Ciarrocchi. Paulist 
Press. Qqy MacArthur Blvd.. Mahwah, 
N| 07430-7430. Addresses adult 
psychopathology by a person familiar 
with ministry and on staff at Loyola 
University's Pastoral Counseling 
Department. It addresses psychological 
information along with the related incli- 
nations for people insoKed in pastoral 
cai-c. This handbook can be used by both 
experienced pastors as well as those 
preparing tor helping roles in the chuich. 



• \() Longer AUine: Menial Health 
and the Clnireh. |ohn Toews with 
Eleanor Loewen. Herald Press, bib 
Walnut Ave.. Scotldale. PA 1 5b83: 
(800) 245-7804: FAX: (412) 
887-3 Ml. Authoi- integrates the psy- 
chological and theological issues that 
mental illness raises. Designed as 
Sunday school curriculum. 

• The Gift of the Dark Angel: A 
Woniiin's lourney ihioiigh Depression 
toward Wlhileness. .Ann Keiffer. 
LuraMcdia. 70bO Miramar Rd.. Suite 

f 04. San Diego. CA 92 1 2 1 . A personal 
stor\ of a woman who plummeted into 
the fatigue and despair of suicidal 
depression. She discovers unexpected 
gifts buried in her depression and jour- 
ney to reco\er\. 

• Simply Sane: The Spirituality 
of .Mental Health. Gerald May. 
Crossroads. Order thi'ough Shales 
Institute, 5430 Grosvenor Ln.. 
Bethesda, MD 20814. May is a psychi- 
atrist and author ol se\en books on 
spirituality and psychiatiy. Approaches 



psychotherapy with a spiritual eye. 
Addresses the need for allowing the 
s|Tiiit to be a pail of the process ol 
healing through psychotherapeutic 
approaches. 

• \ Path Through the Sea: One 
Woman's loiirney from Deivessi(.>n to 
Wlioleness. Lillian V. Grissen. William 
B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. 255 
lefferson Ave. SE. Grand Rapids. Ml 
4'-T503. Writer describes factors thai 
contributed to her depression, and the 
process by which she faced the roots of 
her pain, of licr perfectionism and 
excessive guilt. Gi\es the family and 
religious emironmeni. which was a lac- 
tor, w ilhout blame oi' bitterness. 

• I Brilliant Madness: Living with 
\liiiiie- Depressive Illness. Patty Duke 
and Gloria Hochman. Bantam Books. 
Personal experience of this illness, cou- 
pled with the clinical aspects from a 
psychiatrist's \iew. People struggling 
with this illness will find it helpful read- 
ing in understanding themsehes or a 
lo\ed one. 



March 1^)'-Ui Mcsvciiacr 21 



The Church of North India 



by H. Lamar Gibblc 

Tl Ik- i.\'k-bi,iiiiin hcizun w illi .1 
Ik',ii1\ unison (.li.'i.lai.iiioii tioni 
I's.ilni I'll: "Mow uooJ iind plcas- 
ani il is when people li\c logclhcr in 
unil\." iwL'ni\-li\c \cars had passi.'il 
siiKc ihe inau,i;ui aliim ol ihc C'huich ol 
\oilh huha iCAIt in the lall ol l^iyO 
vnulcr ihe grcal slhiniiiiihi (Icnl) in 
\a,t;piir. I he ccclcsiolotiieal load tiaxelet.! 
siiiee dial lime had nol alwa\s been 
sinoolli. C'omersalions wiih hidian 
hiends, coniiiii: lioin ihe si\ litiihlions 
dial toinietl die uniied eliureh, openlv 
and eompassionaleK ixxalled die "louizh 
plaees dnnnj; ihese \eais dial with C'iolI's 
kning caie had beeonie plain. " Delegates 
rej(.Meed in die nnil\ in C hrisi dial lhe\ 
ha\e eome lo know in a hesh wa\. I heie 
was pride in iheir obseixadoiis dial al 
s\notl nieelings lhe\ no kmoer galheied 
in ehciues as lornier Hielhren. Baplisis. or Angheans, but in 
inleresi and issue uioLips aiouiul I lie pressing issues and 
neeels ol llieii eliureh. 

Ihe Sihei- lubilee eelebialions al the nindi C^idinaiv S\nod 
meelings (Oelober t-IO. I>-1'-')t) ol die CM were largely eon- 
lined lo one dii\. 1 he remaining li\e da\s ol meelings 
engaged die 2^U ilelegales. U) li'oni eaeli ol die 2't dioeeses, 
in ileeisions legarding die work and witness ol their eluireh. 
I he aiini\ersai'\ eelebralion was impressive and leatnied 
konrad Raiser, geiieial seeielai\ ol the Workl L'ouneil ol 
C'hiirehes, as ke\nole speaker. Retired bishops and lornier 
missionaries were present lor die eelebralion and vvere gi\en 
speeial reeognilion. lornier Hrelhivn missionar\ l.aura Sewell 
and I represented our denomination. 

Pk lomineiil in the iubilee were e\hibils liom eaeh ol 
" the dioeeses lealuring highlights ol ilieii work oxer 
li \ears. I was drawn to these exhibits aiKl beeame 
engrossed in the graphie pielures iif llieir work, handeralls 
Irom their areas, and implements relateil to de\elopment pro- 
jeels. In one e\liibil. I was allraeled b\ photographs ol a 
voutli gathering in whieh llie\ \U're eelebrating the lo\e least, 
ineluding leetwashing. Ihe \onth at the bot)|li eagerl\ toKI me 
that this was a eontribulion "the l'>iethieii tradition IukI 
brought lo the uniteil eliureh." 

.Most ol die ke\ issues lor the smukIs deliberation were iKU 
ilissimilar lo those we lirethren atklress at Annual t onlerenee 
and in ihe Cieneral Hoard. Kirmalion anil iinrluring oleapa- 
ble and respimsible leadership within the CNI is eeiilral. as is 
more adei|uate support ol pasioral leatlership. limited 
linanees lor the programs that ehallenge this \oung eliureh 
was another. Some issues, however, are strikingly different. 
1 hese brothers and sisters live in a religiousK pluralistie eul- 




Onc of the most pleasing developments in the CNI for I.cimar Gihhle and l.aura 
Sewell was the election of a neiv liishop of Gujarat. Vinodkuniar M. Malaviya. 
Observed Gihhle. "lie reminds me of the late liishop Islnvarlai Christachari." 
(Christacltari. first Bishop of Gujarat, was a product of the lirethren tnission.) 

lure i.|uile i.lillereiil Irom our liwii. In then soeiel\. Christians 
represent onl\ 2.4 pereeni ol the population. .As a minority 
religion, they e\perieiiee interreligioiis tension and violenee. 
I'eaee edueation and aetion within their eliureh then are olten 
relateil to interreligious toleranee. uniierstanding, and dialog, 
anil loeuseil liea\il\ al a loeal le\el. laeiiig growing interreli- 
gious lensioiis in our soeietx anil world, we eaii learn nuieh 
Irom this e\peiienee ol our Inilian brothers anil sisters. 

\\ hat most impresseil me in the eelebralion and s\nod meet- 
ings is the work that the CM is doing "low aril a llolistie 
Laidersiaiiding of Mission" (I III M), a three-year emphasis 
that will now be eonlinueil lor at least another three years. Ihe 
eliureh in Inilia laees a situaliini not unlike the ilillerenees 
laeeil within LS IVolesiantisni — the impael ol a eonser\ati\e 
e\aiigeliealism that shares the personal and saKilie aspeets ol 
the gospel, bill shies away Irom the soeial elaiiiis ol Christ's 
teaehings. The III Li M program emphasis within the eliureh 
works eoneerleilK and elleeli\el\ al loeal anil ilioeesaii levels 
to see the mission ol the eliureh in holistie terms, witnessing lo 
and inearnating a gospel that is as importantly soeial as it is 
personally saKilie. Ihe theme lor the amiixersary eelebralion 
was "A CommunitN in Mission lor jiisiiee, I'eaee. anil Integrity 
of Creation." In keeping with this ihenie anil the I III M 
pioeess. it was eliallengiiig aiiil enriehiiig to witness this young 
eluireh lieniDiislrating thai eoiieerns relateil tii po\ert\. justiee. 
intereomiiuinal and interreligious \iolenee, and ile\eli)piiienl 
were not means to e\aiigeli/atioii, but essential to exangeliza- 
tion itsell — eentral anil nol peripheral lo the gospel. 

While not disguising the ilillerenees within its eoiiimunity 
of faith -ehallenges to leadership, ilillerenees in priorities, 
disputes o\er pro|ierties. and the like— the Chureli ol North 
India, gathered in this eelebralive synod meeting, demonstrat- 
ed "how giiod and pleasant it is when people li\e together in 



22 NlL'ssinaer \l:ircli 1 ^Klb 



iving together in unity 



unity." My experience with ihcni in iheir "big ineeling" con- 
vinced me tiiat tiiis young churcii is alive and well, relevant in 
its holistic gospel witness, and in its unity is much more elTec- 
tive than it ever could have been in its separate Brethren. 
Anglican, Presbyterian. Disciples. Baptist, and Methodist 
parts. As 1 reflected during these meetings in New Delhi 
about the Brethren centennial celebration in IQQ5 ot the first 



"preaching and teaching meetings" conducted in the Bulsar 
railroad library by Wilbur and Mary Stover and Bertha Ryan. 
I became ci-in\inced that these pioneei' Bielhren missionaries 
too would ha\e celebrated the wider and greater w itness ,i 
and work in hulia reflected today in this united church. '^*^' 

//, I Liiinir Cihl'lc i>. rcinvsciuiiiivc for luimpc tiiul \sui mi ihc WoiLI 
W//;/s(r;c'.s (.'tuiiiiii^siiiii ilufl 



Back home to India 



India is a second home to me. I was 
very pleased to be invited to attend the 
25th Anniversary of the Church of 
North India (CNI). I could again visit 
the church and my many friends there. 

After 25 years of the CNI, the 
founding leaders who led the church 
into union with hopes of a spiritual 
unity of Christians are gone. They had 
given to the church their strength and 
administrative abilities. Many of the 
leaders who came after them were not 
aware of all the efforts and problems of 
organizing so many diverse peoples 
into one church. There were struggles 
for position and honor. The church has 
grown despite that. These 25 years have 
been a testing time, and the church has 
reached an age of maturity. There is 
much more emphasis on sjiiritual values 
now, and less on property, place, and 
the joining-church differences. 

I remember the first synod meeting 
and the time spent in talking and argu- 
ing about customs, beliefs, language, 
and rules. In that first synod, because 
of an uproar about ordination of 
women, that part of the agenda was 
tabled until the next synod meeting, 
three years later. At this 1995 synod, 
the moderator. Bishop Anand C. Lai, 
led in giving thanks for the church and 
included the communion service. The 
leaders who assisted him were all 
ordained women, with no objections 
raised by anyone. Many other problems 
caused by groups with deep-seated 
beliefs have been solved over the years, 
and there is a greater sense of unity 
growing in the church. That doesn't 
mean the problems are all gone, but it 
does indicate a willingness to listen to 



and learn from one another. 

From Delhi, I went home to Gujarat. 
I spent a week in Ahmedabad at the 
Gujarat United School of Theology. 
The school principal had written to me, 
requesting me to come and help in the 
school library, where 1 had reorganized 
and catalogued the books years ago. 

I arrived in Anklesvar to begin my 
visit to South Gujarat. I went to many 
villages. I visited the churches and pas- 
tors, visited from house to house, and 
even went out into the fields. I drank 
cups and cups of tea and ate huge 
meals everywhere. I traveled by train, 
bus, jeep, car, scooter, and motorcycle, 
and walked many miles. I enjoyed every 
minute of it. I am grateful to all the 
friends in the Anklesvar- Raj, Vyara, and 
Bulsar areas for their care and love. 

Many of the churches arranged 
meetings at noon and in the 
evening so that I could meet 
more people. My message to them was 
the theme of the Bible study from the 
Synod: We are on a journey. The 
church has grown up. We are not chil- 
dren anymore. It is time to walk 
together in love, reaching out to those 
who are seeking help in their spiritual 
journeys, instead of dwelling on our 
differences. 

The people arc all my friends, and I 
did not ask to which church they went 
or to which group they belonged. If 
people asked me for the church in 
America to help them solve their prob- 
lems, I told them that the church loved 
them, cared for them, and prayed for 
reconciliation among them, but the 
solution to their problems was in their 



own hands. They needed to sit together 
and love one another. 

I was favorably impressed by the 
number of young people in the church. 
They are taking places of leadership. 
Many of these young people come 
from the Vyara and south Raj areas. 
That is where the church is growing. It 
is in the old established churches where 
the disputes and disagreements occur 
and where there is little growth. The 
diocese has asked each church to add a 
line to its budget for missionary work. 
Young people are preparing to go out 
to serve, and they need money for 
salaries and expenses. 

There is much that the Christian 
community can do to serve the people 
of India and to address the country's 
problems. It must put aside its discord 
and begin working for the good of all. 
Where there is witness to the gospel, 
the church is growing. Where there is 
an emphasis on control and ownership, 
the church is dormant. Members of all 
groups are concerned about this. 

The leadership must listen to the 
opinions and be more considerate of 
the feelings of the members. 

With the election of a new bishop in 
the CNI's Gujarat Diocese, there is 
hope for reconciliation among the peo- 
ples. The church is alive. I had a won- 
derful time in the churches and homes 
of friends in India. I pi'ay that they may 
sit down together soon to work out 
solutions to their jiroblems as they 
travel on their spiritual joui-ney of 
hope. — Laura Si:wi:i i 

Laura ScnvU served as a CInavh of ilie 
Brethren inissionary in India 1 94S- 1 9S4. She is 
a ineinber of Peace Church of llie Brcihrcn in 
I'orlland. Ore. 



MarLh l^>1t> McssL-iit'cr 23 



Gospel-learning in 

El Sali^adac^ 



b\ Worth Weller 



lour \('nli MlIUlIu'su'I'. lihL. lucu dnn-c 1.40i> miles ta i'l 
Siilwuhir iluriir^ ldi!iit.iry ui ilnihuc ii win w Iglcsia Hauti^Ui 
1 iiimanui.'l. Ihh is wluii tlicv Idinicil iilnnii ilic worlds oj 
(.'Itrisi ill it iviiiotc. \\\ir-t(int. pinvny-siriclyCii coiiiiiry. 

C allying ihc gospel lo ihc pc(.>plc ol 1:1 SaKatlor is a 
iniiqui.'l\ C'cniral \mciican LApcriLMicc. iindcisli,iocl 
bcsl in ihc con^laiit ci.'ntc\l ol war and po\cit\. As 
Miguel loiiKis (.'asH\i. pastL>r o\ It^lcsiu Initiiisiii I jinihiniicl. 
a ^isicr jiaiish lo Manchcslcv Chuieh of the i^rcthicn, puts 
it. "Wc woik with ilic gospel al the \cr\ pcisoual lc\cl." 

I'avlLir Castro, an animated \ct gentle SaKadoran. who 
has seen his eountrv plunged into po\ert\ and elespair 
through 12 \ear>- ol war. sa\s that the gO'^pel is not nierel> a 
eolleetion ot wiiting:-. but ralhei' the worel ot C'hiist as it is 
lived among his people. 

■■Stimelimes ]X'ople ha\e reai.1 the gospel as it it were 
just a matter i.>l inlonualion. This i^ noi true, ^ou must be 
ill the gospel." he continues, with the word "in" emphasized 
b\ thawing it out into aliiuisi two svllablcs. "You must bring 
the gospel to \oiu'sclt. as it it were \oui' own skin." 

lo make the gi.>s|icl so personal is a call to work, believe^ 
pa^toi' Ca^lro. a I'-T80 graduate ol San SaKadoi's I hcokigical 
Baptist Instituie. "We cannot ceinless ourscKes as C'hiisiians 
without doing something with our poor, with oui' sulTcrcrs." 

[d SaKador's poor and sulTerers ai'c man\. The civil 
war. which cueled tour \eais ago. ha^ lelt a legac\ ot unem- 
plovmeiil throughout a mountainous countr\ about the si/e 
ol Massachirsetts. h^lcsiii Baiitistti Ijimuiiuicl. which runs 
health, education, and agricultural assistance pingranis in 
28 villages and neighborhoods aroimd San Salvador, recent- 
ly completed an tn-phan resettlement program alter caring 
tor children i.li->plaeed during the violent and exhausting 
political struggle. \\ ith little pride ani.! much sadness. |-iastor 
Castro displaved a bulletin biiaril ol pictures — the laces ot 
chikhcn whose parents were killed or who "disappcarei,!" 
diu-ing the lighting. "We were not able to find relatives ft)r 
1 I o\ our childicn." he said, noting that in some cases, 
entire tamilies were caught in the (.leadlv cro^stiic between 
the hMl.N (larabundo .Marti National Liberation I ront) 
guerrillas and the L'S -sponsored SaKadoran armv. 

Pastor Castro and his congregation are no stiangers to 
the death squads that epitomized the paiticularlv nasty 
nature of political contlict in Fl Salvador. His own brother 
was brutallv killed at the age o\ I 7. Wn no more than being a 
student and church activist. .And the liillowing vear. pastor 

24 \lcsscnacr \lnixh l^l^l^ 




Den id Rogers (left) and Julio Cesar \ usque: (right) talk 
with l.orena Suyapa. a village girl who attended Iglcsia 
Baiitisiu Emmanuel .s youth eongress on the environment. 

Castro himself vvas dragged trom his home in the middle of 
the night b\ lour gunmen and accused of aiding the I'MI.N. 
I le was luckv to be a church leader in the capital ciiv. where 
the LS embassv staft Was particulailv sensitive to the brutal 
slav ings that since have been acknow ledged as government 
s|X)nsored. His sentence was not tlcalh. but exile. 

Reluming from Canada three vears later, pastor Castro 
found his countrv in shambles and his church reeling Irom 
ihe shock of the deatli squads, with several more members, 
male and female, having "disappeared" or having been sav - 
agelv mmdered and dumped in public places in the citv. One 
congregatiem member, a teacher, was dragged trom her 
school; twt) hour-- later, she was found dead. And Carlos 




Avalos Valencia, who later was sponsored by Manchester 
Church of the Brethren at the lOQO National Muith 
Conference, was arrested and interrogated by treasury police. 

So how do you keep your faith in times like those, pas- 
tor Castro was asked by his \'isitors troni North Manchester, 
Ind., who dro\'e 5,400 miles to deliver a "Van for Peace" to 
Iglesia Baulislu Eniiuuinicl. 

"We are not supposed to ask such ditlicull questions." 
he replied with a wistful smile, "Faith is not something that 
is static. It moves with experience." 

"Vv'e already know about salvation. We are already 
preparing to enter the kingdom. Those are givens for a 
Christian. To live a Christian faith is more than that. 

"Faith is to be truly with others, as jesus was with the 
poor and infirm of his time," he explained, describing large 
circles in the air with his rapidly moving hands, 

"If we want to be men and women of faith, we must be 
willing to face risk." he said. "We must be on the side of 
those who struggle for justice. Your faith calls you to serve a 
God of justice, of peace, and of life for everyone, equally. It 
is in the gospel." 

But peace and justice are not coming quickl\ to El 
Salvador. 

Pastor Castro reported that in just the past month the 
newly formed civil police had murdered a disabled 
army veteran who was participating in the leadersiiip 
of a protest tor veterans benefits. "Here the retired officers get 
huge pensions, while the peasants who served and were 
wounded in the war gel absolutely nothing," he pointed out. 

"Little has changed other than the level of \iolence. The 
economic policy is still one that benefits the wealthy at the 
expense of the poor. We must tell you that you must under- 
stand what oui' realitv in Central America is, loi' without that 



-'i 



Left: Jaime Wilfredu Penu. 
who works with the San 
Martin refugee cuinniunity. 
shows off the craftwork of a 
women 's eooperatire. 

Below: Pastor Miguel Tomds 
Castro blesses the bread 
during a communion service 
attended by the North 
American Brethreti, including 
David Rogers (left). 




undcrstaneling we aie doomeel to repeat our liistoi\. to be 
stuck lore\er in this reality," 

Despite the daunting task of changing that reality. 
litlc^iii Biiulisld luvuituucl ne\er flinches. A ctmgregation ol 
200 families works iirelcssl\ at coordinating and implemeiu- 
ing programs that benefit the rural and urban poLH'. Some of 
their missions are half a day's drive from San Salvador. o\er 
incredibly difficult roads, to i-emote areas wheie o\ carls 
with soliei woi,iden wheels are the chief means >.'l iiaiisporta- 



M,n\li l^'^'O Xksscnocr 25 






riiiii I II' (iciicriil VcriiaiT 



Facing into change 



The picaiidilcd linancial icpori lor ihc General Bnard lor HT-lo indiealcs 
ihe anticipated exces.s of expense over income has been reduced by some 
SI '^0,000. The aelnal excess of expenses was $155,000. considerably less 
than was anticipated in October. 

This good news was the result o\ the ellbrt of people all across the church. 
\\c" know that many congregations took up a s|iecial oKering late in the year 
for the ministries of the Cienera! Board. Contributions IVoni congregations 
came within SI 3.000 of equaling contributions the presious year. Since ear- 
lier reports from congregational budgets projected a S70.000 decline, w-e 
were pleased with this strengthened i.>utcome. The letter that was sent to 
indi\idual l^retliren in December appealing lor contributions to balance the 
budget recei\ed a remarkable SI 40,000 response from nearly 2.000 individ- 
uals anil (amilies. a heartening \ole ol conlidence in the work of the Board 
on behall ol the wider church. We also were able to reduce expenses signifi- 
cantl\. Ml these efforts taken together dramatically reduced the anticipated 
o\er-expendilure. 

Some will quickly ask why an over-ex|ienditure was budgeted in the first 
place. Until two years ago. the Board had balanced budgets for seven years in 
succession. C(.)st-of-li\ing increases each year, including health insurance, have 
meant constant reduction ol programs, and in some instances, the elimina- 
tion of positions. These costs were overcome by special contributions during 
lQQI-iQQ5 to the Goals for the 'QOs. When congregational gixing declined 
for four years in succession, however, the undei'lying trend became evident. 

This prompted the Board to begin a process ol fundamental change, seek- 
ing to sharpen and retocus ministries within redtieed resources. The Board 
has developed a new mission statement and appointed a Redesign Steering 
Committee. The committee has recommended that changes be done prayer- 
lull), thoughtfully, and with opportunitx for discussion throughout the 
church. Such changes, including downsizing, ought not be done arbitrarily 
or impulsively. Therefore, the Board decided to allow expenses to exceed 
income lor the years 1995- 1 QQ7, during the time the redesign is being 
planned and implemented. By 1998. the budget is to be balanced and the 
reserves re-established. 

People olten ask me whether the Board is really serious in its plan to 
redesign its ministries. Indeed, the Board is very serious. It is taking bold 
steps while prayerfully seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit and while lis- 
tening to many voices across the chinch. The strong linancial support at the 
close of f995 strongly suggests that ]teople are supportive of what the Board 
is doing. When people discover that the Board is really serious in lacing into 
change, the usual respi)nse is deep affiimation. 

The vision that guides the redesign focuses upon partnership with and sup- 
port of congregations. One legitimate concern is whether we are turning into 
ourselves and losing the remarkable global concern that has characteiized the 
Brethren in the 20th century. The neighbors we are to love in Christ's name are 
both near and far. The new vision must include both. — Donald E. Mii.i.kr 

Donald /'. Miller is ^jfiicnil Mrivlary ii[ the Cliinvli nj ihc liivlhivil. 



lion. In these hot. drv. iluslv villages, 
the needs ol the ]"ieople are verv basic. 
"We bring them the gospel, but in the 
conlext of working with their lailh in a 
verv personal vvav. in a wav that sus- 



tains life. " reported pasloi' Castro. 

Mission project coordinator Julio 
Cesar Vasque/ puts it this way: "First 
we bring them Ciotl. then we look 
lor bread." 



\;isi.|ue/. wIki iloubled dining the 
wai .IS a driver lor the guerillas while 
preaching the gi.ispi.'l in the eounlrv - 
siile. said that his job is "to teach (he 
villagers to fish." In ihal. Ii^lcsiii 
lUlulisIa I'ninhiiliu'l is consieleiablv dil- 
lerenl Irom the churches that pixiclaim 
the kingdom o\ heaven and the abim- 
ilant life of the fiereafier. "We proefaim 
fieaven on eaith. ifuil in Christ this is 
(he abunilant life." he explained. 

In addition to its health, education, 
anel agrieiillural puigrams. the congre- 
gation recently sponstiivd a youth con- 
gress to stin.lv environmental issues. 
"Id Salvador has long been destroying 
its environment." observed pastor 
Castro. "Our children know that there 
will be nothing lelt lor ilwir children if 
the country continues on this course." 

I he pastor believes that the yeumg 
people are the future ol the ctumtry, 
antf that by sfiai'ing tfie gospef vvilii 
(hem his congregation can break the 
cycle ol greed anil seffisfmess that 
dominates political thought in 1:1 
Salvador. "Ours is a soeietv that does- 
n't work acciirding to the gospel. 
1 here is too much sellisimess and ego- 
tistical values among our leaders." 

But that is the same ihroughout 
much ol the woild. he noted. "In 
manv chinches. Cloil is just another 
article vou can buv lor vour pers(.inal 
comloit." 

But lor pastor Caslio ami liilcsiii 
Htiinisiii I .niniiiiiiicl. failli is a walk in 
solidarity with the poor, a walk in 
which churches, such as Manchester 
C lunch ol the Bielhicn aiul litlcsiu 
Iniiili.'^Ui i.iunhiniicl work ti>gether to 
ease bunlens anil cure sullcring. 

"I his iiuly is the gospel that Christ 
taught." murmured a gentle voice 
filled with the ]"iain and anguish it 
ol love lor a vvDimded people. 

Wiirih Welter is a incinbcr nj Muiiclicsicr 
( liiinli III ihv Hrciluvii. \(irili Muncht'sicr. Iini. 
iiinl iHihlishcr ol I he \c\\s juiiriuif. </ \orlli 
Mciihlicslcr iicii-spupcr The three other iiieii on 
the joiirtiey were lioh Shi'i>hi'i\l of iirst Hreihreii 
Chitreh. Ihniil Rosters of \hiiiehesler Chitreh oj 
the lirethreti. atiil Matt (liiyiiii. n I'-l'-l^ I'ectee 
Sttiilies yjadtiale ol Maiiehester (.'olU'f^e. 



26 Mcssciii^cr MurJi I^Wb 



Can Christ be both 

exclusive 



INCLUSIVE? 



by Dale W. Brown 

Brethren are debating what we 
ean say and believe about 
lesLis Christ. Much of the 
current unrest centers 
aiound relationships to other world 
religions and popular cultural fads 
such as the New Age mo\'ement. Many 
Christians fear that dialog with people 
of other faiths will compromise and 
even destroy the foundation of our 
faith in lesus Christ. Others are turned 
off by proclamations that seem to 
quickls consign non-Christians to hell. 
Many want to hold to the e\clusi\e 
claims of Christ. Others desire to be 
open to the revelation of God in other 
religions. Amazingly, our Brethren 
"creed." the New Testament, main- 
tains both. In our present atmosphere, 
faithfulness to both exclusive and 
inclusive themes in our canon can fos- 
ter greater unity of the Spii'it in the 
bond of peace. 

For me, such a possibility emerged 
in a lune 1Q94 gathering titled "Peace 
Theology and Relating to F'eople of 
Other Faiths" at Messiah College. In a 
paper delineating biblical perspectives 
on the theme. Professor |ohn Toews 
from Mennonite Brethren Biblical 
Seminary verified that the exclusive 
texts were addressed to Christians 
while inclusive missionary passages 
were directed to people of other faiths. 

The exclusive Christ 

The exclusive texts about |esus Christ 
were addressed to minority Christian 
communities that lived in a religiously 
pluralistic world. The masses were 
attentive to cults of many gods. There 
were nuire than 50.000 kuinvn ijods 



Many want to ^'"^'^ to 
the exclusive c 
Christ. Otliers c/c 

to be open / 
revelation ( n 

other re! 
Arnazint: 
Brethren "c 

New 7 //, 

niaintaiiT: ' ' ■" 

present au: \ 

faithfulness / > 

exclusive ariL. 

themes ii 



7 7 / ^ 1 I f 



can foster grea 
of the Spirit in the 
bond of peace. 



and idols in ancient times. Cullie 
demands to worship Caesar as Lord 
led Christians to the earl\' conlession 
that "lesus is Lord." Their e\clusi\e 
allegiance to lesus Christ empowered 
them to reject cultic sujiport o\ temple 
prostitution, bloody gladiatorial ccmi- 
bats, the gods and goddesses oi war, 
and the abandonment of unwanted 
infants. The scandal of declaring lesus 
as the onl\ Lord incited others \o call 



Christians atheists, lor they refused to 
worship the gods ol the families, cities, 
nations, and empiie. 

1 heir espousal ol no other name 
(Acts 4:12), no other foundation 
( 1 Cor. 5:1 1 ). and no other way to 
salvation (Acts 4:12: |ohn I4:b) relat- 
ed Christ (Messiah) to God in such a 
way that all who were attracted to 
monotheism could maintain or adopt 
the lewish affirmation of one God. 
This intimate relationship between 
God and Christ is stated positi\el> in 
Paul's discussion of the eating of food 
to idols ( I Cor. 8: 1-1 5). After declar- 
ing the knowledge that "no idol in the 
world really exists" and that "theie is 
no God but one" (verse 4). Paul atlds, 
"Indeed, e\en though there ma\ be so- 
called gods in heaven or on earth — as 
in fact there are man\ gods and man\ 
lords — yet toi' us theie is one Gck.!, the 
Father, from wluim are all things and 
for whom we exist, and one Lord, 
jesus Christ, through whom are all 
things and thiough whom we exist" 
(\erses 5-b). 

1 hese interpretations ot the exelusixc 
texts ma\ offer the basis for an uncom- 
mon definition of "high Christology" 
from a Mennonite br(.)thei'. The wa\ he 
interpreted Christology surprised me, 
"^ou Brethren," he said "ha\e a higher 
Christology than we Mennonites." 1 
protested, "Not true. There arc more 
Brethren than Mennonites who raise 
questions about the di\ init\ of Christ." 
He replied. "But sou Brethren allow 
Christ to be Loixl o\ei- more areas of 
your li\es." I felt he was unfair to many 
Mennonites I know and too compli- 
mentary to us. But he was speaking out 
oi his experience of being with some 
who SI.) stress Christ as Lord ol the 

Miiicli |l>Ut Mcssciiticr 27 



church thai h\^ teachings arc noi 
applied to all areas of lite. 

Dietrich rKmlioelTer posci.1 a siniilai' 
analvsis in his call Icir a Clirisiianiiy 
without religion. In sa\ing this, he 
implied negali\e tietlniiions oi' ihc 
word "religion." In his \ic\\. the "reli- 
gious" person di\ides life into coni- 
parlnienis. hi one conipartnient or 
setting, the person nia\ sinccrclx 
engage in many outward marks ol 
piet\- -attending public wcirship. pra\ - 
ing. and reading the Scri|"'tures. ^et 
this pietv ma\ ha\e little relationship 
or inlluence on ihe rest ol life. i"or 
Bonhoeffer. religionless Christianity 
means that Christ meets us "not on 
the bortlei's o\ life hui ai iis ecnier." 

The same sentimenl led ihe old 
Brethren lo insist that what we say 
aboul Christ must be reflected in all ol 
life. As Sermon on the .Mount people, 
they quoted lesus: "Not everyone who 
says lo me. 'Lord, bord.' will enter the 
kingdom o\' hea\en. but only the one 
who docs the w ill of m\ Father in 
hea\cn" (Matt. 7:21). 

The exclusive message that lesus 
Christ is Lord of all is basic to biblical 
faith. Brethren forebear .Alexander 
Mack admonished, "look alone to 
jesus yoiH' Redeemer and Sa\ioi'." 
Christ ■cenleredness has been iniegi'al 
to our heritage. 

The inclusive Christ 

The message of the inclusive Christ is 
equally basic to biblical faith. Texts that 
proclaim inclusiveness are relevant to 
contemporary issues, for thev deal with 
the mission of the church in a pknalis- 
tic world. Professor Toevvs' paper con- 
firmed how the missionary strategy of 
biblical Christians assumed both the 
special revelation of God in Christ and 
God's general revelation to others. 

In Romans 1:19-20, Paul affirms a 
universal revelation of God in holding 
people res]-)onsiblc for their sins: "For 
what can be known about God is |ilain 
to them, because C)od has shown it to 
them. Fver since the creation of the 
world, his eternal power and divine 
nature, invisible thouah ihev arc. have 



been understood and seen thrt)Ligh the 
things he has matlc." 

lohn 1 :0 lelers to lesus as the "true 
light, which enlightens evervone " 

Texts that pivclaini 
ii2clitsi]'eness deal 

with the luissioti of 

the eh II iv 1 1 in a 

phiralistie woi'ld. 



This has been a lavorite text ol 
Ouakers because it teaches thai everv- 
one has received something of the light 
of Christ or that of God within. Some 
missionaries have testified to discover- 
ing in the lives of other people some- 
thing of the spirit of lesus that preced- 
ed them. 

In Acts, mission texts relate stories 
ot the extension of the gospel 
beyond Judaism to the world. The 
visions of Cornelius, a Gentile 
worshiper of God. and the apostle 
Peter in Acts I 0. offer a model for 
evangelism and missions. The story 
reveals that God speaks to both 
Christians and non-Christians: that 
what we may regard as profane. Geid 
has made clean {Acts 10: 1 5. 11 :'-T); 
and that oiienness to otheis through 
mutual sharing of visions is impi.)rtani. 
I'eter begins telling the good news of 
lesus Christ to Cornelius with an affir- 
mation of acceptance: "I truly imder- 
siand thai Ciod sliows no partiality, but 
in every natitin anyone who icars him 
and does what is right is acceptable tc< 
him" (.Acts 10:34-35). 

I'aul's s|ieech on .Areopagus, a hill in 
.Athens where politicians gathered, is 
regartied as a masterpiece of crt)ss- 
eultural communication. Perceiving 
Paul to be making trouble by preach- 
ing Christ's resurrection on the streets, 
philosophers invited him to explain his 
strange teaching. His speech is a 
model of how to communicate the 
gospel to people for whom it is for- 



eign. 1 le begins w ith Ciod's general 
revelation, lief ore referring lo scrip- 
tures, he concludes his intioduction by 
quoting a pagan pt)et: "From one 
ancestor. God made all nations to 
inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted 
the times ol their existence and the 
boimdaries of the places where they 
would live, so ihai thev would search 
for Gild, anil perhaps grope lor him 
and find him — though indeed he is 
not far from each one of us. For 'In 
him we live and move and have our 
being': as even some of your poets 
fiavc said. 'For we too are his off- 
spring'" (.Acts f 7:25-28). 

First Timothy 2:4 claims that Ciod's 
universal intention "desires everyone 
lo be saved and come to the knowl- 
edge of truth." lohn 3:17. seldom 
quoted with lohn 3:1b. adds that 
through lesus. God wants to save the 
cosmoi. the whole world. 

There are texts suggesting ihat what 
God wants. God will eventually bring 
about. Universalists believe that God 
will save all people. Texts often cited 
include Romans 5:12-21: I Corinthians 
1 "y-.n-I^: and Colossians 1 :l 5-20. 
Romans 5 describes sin as a force that 
brings all people and creation into its 
orbit and states that Christ is the cosmic 
force to reconcile all the world to God. 

The early Brethren look literally the 
message that "as all die in Adam, so all 
will be made alive in Christ" (I Cor. 
1 5:22) while adhering to passages 
about God's judgment and hell. Their 
peculiar synthesis, which affirms 
God's eventual restoration ot creation, 
iias been named universal restoration. 
The larger consensus of Christians has 
rejected both versions of universalism. 
maintaining that God's intention to 
save all depends on whether believers 
respond. Brethren Annual Meetings 
refused to alTirm or reject universalist 
doctrines. Instead they forbade public 
debates in an 1878 minute, the last 
dealing with this issue. In obedience to 
this decision. I will not testify in favor 
or against this doctrine. I report it here 
to demonstrate how universalist 
themes have been found in the Bible. 



28 Mcsscnaer Marcfi IQQb 



A Native American Christian tVoni 
Oklahoma spoke at the Messiah 
College conference. He told how 
Mennonite missionaries were open to 
his people keeping some native cus- 
toms and rituals. To those who looked 
puzzled, he chided: "What about some 
o( the practices you ha\ e embraced in 
celebrating Christmas and Easter?" 
He contrasted the way his tribe had 
been treated with the way that Hopi 
Indians had been treated by other mis- 
sionaries. The Hopis were a peaceful 
people, who refused to go to war. 
Instead of appropriating Hopi peace- 
fulness for common dialog or as the 
schoolmaster vshich could lead them to 
Christ and his Way, the missionaries 
rejected their pacifism because it was 
not founded on Christ. 

Exclusive and inclusive Christ 

As New Testament Christians, we need 
messages of both the exclusive and 
inclusive Christ. Living in a society 
which, like the early centuries, is 
fraught with a pluralist plethora of 
gods, idols o\ materialism, violence, 
war, licentiousness, and depraved 
celebrities, we need to declare lesus as 
Lord and Savior. At the same time, we 
live in a world afflicted with ethnic 
hatreds and bitter conflicts between 
peoples. It becomes imperative for 
Christians to have dialog with others. If 
we fail to be open to God's revelation 
ihi'ough othei's, we box the presence of 
the Holy Spirit into our categories. And 
if we fail to tell the good news we have 
received, we rob others from knowing 
what and who are precious for us. 

In studying the exclusive texts, which 
are directed primarily to Christians, it 
becomes clearer that their purpose is 
to call us to wholehearted and life- 
changing acceptance of lesus and his 
saving message and ways. Likewise, it 
becomes apparent that the inclusive 
texts are meant to tell others that they 
need not accept all of our interpreta- 
tions, customs, and rules in order to 
accept Christ. They already may 
embody his truth in ways that help us 
be more faithful Christians. 



In the biblical story, the particular is 
foi" the sake oi the universal. In 
Genesis 12, the particular election of 
one. Abraham, was for the purpose of 

In studying the 

exclusive texts, it 

becomes clearer that 

their purpose is to call 

us to wholehearted 

and life-changing 

acceptance of Jesus 

and his saving 
message and ways. 

blessing all peoples ol the world, lesus 
completely redefined his loidship by 
contrasting it with the way the kings of 
the Gentiles lord it over others. It is 
not to be like that with us. he said to 
his disciples. The meaning of Lordship 
and greatness for us is that the great- 
est nnrst be the ser\ant of all (Luke 
22:2b). Although the concept of lord- 
ship has been used to support hierar- 
chical structures, we call the person 
Lord who radically redefined the word 
to mean serving others. 

For Brethren, the stronger our 
allegiance to jesus and his 
way, the more we will obey 
his command to love and 
understand all peo|ile. e\en our ene- 
mies. Our unique laithlulness to one 
spouse should enhance rather than 
diminish our ability to lovingly serve 
others. Our rootedness in our special 
tradition should energize our mutual 
seeking ol truth with others. I often 
have observed that rather than ci.>m- 
promising our laith. students in inter- 
faith dialog become more committed 
and clear about their own lailh stance. 

In his ijliics. Dieliich BonhoefTer 
referred to secular humanists who 
lived out their Christian roots whh 



courage and faithfulness in struggles 
for justice, humanity, and freedom 
against Naziism. In (.nder to define his 
relationship with them, he bi.)rro\\ed a 
phrase from lesus, "Whoever is not 
against us is tor us" (Mark 0:40). But 
in the midst of large numbers c>f pro- 
fessed Christians who remained neu- 
tral or supported Hitlei's regime, the 
need loi' a clear conlession caused 
Bonhoellcr, a confessing Christian, to 
say with lesus: "Whoever is not with 
me is against me" (Matt. 12:30). Here 
he felt it appropriate to refer to the 
exclusive and inclusive nature of 
Christ. In the same section of the 
book, "The Total and Fxclusi\e L'laim 
of Christ." Bonhoeffer wrote, "The 
more exclusively we acknowledge and 
confess Christ as our Lord, the more 
fully the wide range of his dcuninion 
will be disclosed to us." 

Annual Conferences 

At the recent Portland and Chailotle 
Annual Conferences, queries requested 
the church to work at some clarilication 
about what we beliexe as Brethren. 
Afthough it is against our long heritage 
to formulate creeds that are required of 
all. Conference often has adoplei.1 laith 
statements on a \ariet\ o( practices and 
beliefs for the purpose of helping 
Brethren seek guidance as to what we 
believe. Personally. I favor honoring 
these requests. Conference study com- 
mittees constitute one way a church 
with "no creed but the New Testament" 
endeavors to clarify its faith. 

Contrary to my desire, the delegates 
at Portland tvtiinicil the query that 
requested a general statement abcmt 
what we believe. Perhaps this prompt- 
ed the church to pay a sizable amount 
of money to outsiders to lormulate 
mini-confessional statements fi.)i- lis. 
The Portland Conference did deal with 
a more specific query asking Conlci'- 
ence to affirm Christ as head i.il the 
church. In discussing this, a sisici' 
offered an amendment to declare 
Christ as the Son of God. I'he dele- 
gates passed both, \llei- the discus- 
sion. I met a group that was debriefing 



Mnich Ul^Hi Mcssonaci 29 



in ispiciil Hiviliivn >t\lc. One person 
asked. "\\ li\ didn't someone rise and 
move lo deelare C'hrisi as the I'rinee oi 
IVaee?" \noihei- aslNed. "\\ h\ diiiii'i 
someone mo\e lo adopi liie lille iluii is 
usetl b\ lesus more ihan an\ (.>liier. 
namel\. 'lesns is the Son ol Man".'" In 
listening. I leh thai onr nonereedal 
-•lanee ma\ be betler than I sometimes 
have indeed. If the New re--tament is 



oui' ereed. we ean ha\e all ol the 
C'hfistologieal titles. Theie w ill he 
those who w ill loens more on some 
names and tiiose whi.i will gi\e greater 
emphasis to other New lestameni 
eon\ietii>ns abtiul lesus. 

I'r(.iressi.ir 'Itiews prelers "the 
lordship ol Christ" o\ei' phiases sueh 
as "the finalitx olC hrist." "the 
supremae\ ol Christ." or "the absolnte 



''There is a trust 
relationship on the part 
of M AA. They support 
the on-going efforts of 
the church." 



Jim Garber 

Congregational Representative 

N Manchester IN 



Are you paying too much for your homeowner's 
insurance and not getting the service you deserve? 

Call 
1-800-255-1243 

for a quote 

or write us at: 

Mutual Aid Association 

Church of the Brethren 

3094 Jeep Rd 

Abilene KS 67410 

Insurance protection exclusively for Brethren 

churches, homes, farms & renters /1\ 

Fax: 1-800-238-7535 /til 



ness ol C'hrisi." lie beliexes that these 
non-biblieal |ihrases eari-y baggage that 
then needs to be nnpaeked in interlailh 
ilialog and mission. 

Ideally, we should have a balaneed 
C'hrislologA. .As we proelaim both the 
exclusive and inclusive Christ, so we 
proclaim both his divinity and humani- 
ty. In the Christian tradition, it is just 
as heieiieal to deny or ignore one as 
the other. Brethren ollcn have been 
regariled as a people who offer a 
corrective to a docetic or gni)stic 
C'hristology that mitiimi/es or rcjecls 
the humanity of our Lord. Recently, a 
lirother told me of an insight about the 
Apostles Creed that is present vet lUU 
identilied in our new hymnal (number 
712). In this creetl. ceintessiciiis ot 
Christ skip Irom affirmations of his 
birth to his death anil i-esurrection. 
1 he creetl completely neglects what is 
verv important in otu' traditiem. name- 
ly, the lile and teachings of lesus. 

f here are two things I question 
about the einc-scnlcnce answer to the 
c|uerics at the Charlotte conference 
(I0Q5). which stated: "It is our under- 
standing that not only members eil the 
church, but especially all those called to 
set-apart ministi'v. should clearly alTii'm 
the uniqueness ot lesus Christ as the 
only divine Lord and Savior." My first 
concern is to seek clarification whether 
this will be usclI in a way that k\\ the 
early Pietists to reject creeds, namelv to 
polemicallv leject members lor not 
agreeing with the wording instead of 
dealing with one another with loving 
persuasion. If si.), it would go against 
Hrethren traditiim ihi'ouglu'ut oiu' his- 
liirv. For generations. Hrethren have 
been satisfied with affirmations about 
lesus Christ in our baptismal vows. 

Although I can affirm the one- 
sentence answer. I believe the statement 
represents at best a half-Christology . 
which could be misused and lead to an 
inadequate mission strategy. As a peo- 
ple who claim the entire New Testa- 
ment as our creed, we long i/~] 
for a /)///. not a hiilf. Christologv. ' 



/)((/(.' II. Bnnin oj lAizahciluowii. I'll, is 
I'rofcssor Emeritus. Bethany Theological 

Seminary. 



30 Mc^scnacr \t;ircli f^Ob 




Use Board money elsewhere 

I'm troubled by studies eeintinually 
being made by the General Board, the 
latest being "End ot Life Decision- 
making" (February, page 6). 

Alexander Mack and his followers 
based their beliefs on the New Testa- 
ment teachings of [esus. The Bible 
does not change. The Holy Spirit 
teaches the truth. And every Bible- 
reading member knows what is moral 
and what is not. 

So why do we need studies on sub- 
jects such as homosexuality, abortion, 
and common -law marriages, when the 
Bible clearly states that each o\ these is 
an abomination? 

The General Board should put its 
money to better use than to printing 
papers on such subjects. 

I cm )iimick 
lolinsl<i\fii. I'll 

l\t>lc tluil when \iiiniul t'lnilcivncc i/,sm,!,');,s a 
snuly to llic (.icitcnd Hutini. lluii sliijv iini>.l he 
made I he "I iid uj Lije Deeisii>u-makiiiii" siudx 
is an example \i}d meli as:>i^nuieiils Innii 
Cunjerenee are loleil ini /'v delenules jrnni the 
congre:^cUitins ami ihsiiiei>.. So tiiien the Lienercd 
Board !!• iissiiiiu-il a snidy hy Conferenee. ii's die 
folks thick heme adlmy, the shots, not the 
Board. — Id I 



Evangelistic zeal waning? 

The January cover article ("No Other 
Gospel") is well done and speaks for 
many Brethren at the grass roots. 

I have a growing concern over our 
waning evangelistic zeal. So I particu- 
larly appreciated Carl Braaten's com- 
ment "Why evangelize if all peoples are 

The <)/'(;;/( «i,s expresscil in I etiers are not nceessarilv 
' those of the tiia^aiiiie. Readers should iveeiw 

them in the same spirit with which dijferini; opin- 
I ions are expressed in iLtee-todaee eonwrsiittons 
Letters shotitd he hriej. concise, and resiieetlul n/ 
the opinions oj others. I'rctereitee is i^itvii to letters 
that tcspoitd direetlv to items read in the mai;a:ine 
We are trilhii!^ to withhold the itame ol it ifriter 
ottlyx'hen. in oar editorial jtidgiiictit. tt is iwir- 
ratiled. We ir/'// not consider any letter that comes 
to iis iitisigiied. Wdicther or not we print the letter 
the writer's name is kept in slrietesi confiilenee. 
.Address tellers to \1l ssi \t.l I! eilitoi: I4il 
Dundee tiv . /7<;;/(. // Nil JO 



Among the many- ONE 
stands out. 

The New Revised Standard Version is your Bible. Pl^ J^ 

developed by scholars from your denomination tliroiigh ^^^5^ 

your Council of Churches. It stands out in scholarship, IN \3V 
inspiration, and openness. 

If you would like to involve your congregation in a partnership of study 
and suppoil of the NRSV, we can help. The Bible Fund, sponsored by the 
Nation;il Council of Churches and denominutional leaders, provides free 
Bible study tools and invites individuiii involvement. 




1-800-541-2425 

l)r Bill l.i'M'ring, Director 
4~S Riverside Drive 
New York, \T 1()11S-(W1S 




McPherson 
College 

McPherson 

Kansas 

316 241 0731 



Band Concert in Heaston Gazebo (1990s) 



Maivli UWCi .Mcs>eimci 31 



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\i>iUL- SciiJ p.tyincni for a-pniuitji; I'ontiu^' I'lhUlU" Innu Mi sm m.i u 
^ h-fl K.liilfi'Uifn}. 1 1 1 C.iriiT K,Hid. Cdslien. I\ -/Cijc \Ji for <:nf 
.,■■. ^ /i' '. • >c\ * f;J vr;7/' o! ^jrno i^^uo > /(' lor i oni:rot:iition> 



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^MD IMVITE iMTHe POOR, TMETi^ICK, THE 
MALPORMED, THe DROCr ADO\CTS, THE 
C5CST>ToTE -e>>JT FRAHKLV, WE'RE A^RAvO 






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Volunteer 
Service 



Continue the 

Walk of Jesus . . . 







Be part of solving deep-rooted problems. 
Work for peace and justice. 
Serve basic human needs. 
Help preserve the environment. 
Put your faith into action. 






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Monday through Friday 
between 8 am & 4 pm C.S.T. 



L't|uall\ blcssctl by the same God ulio 
is working lo sa\c them ihrougli llic 
gical \aricl\ ol religious riluals and 
e\perienees? Tlie best we ean e\|ieel o\' 
ii ehureli acting on pluralist \ision is a 
mission ol diakig to discuss ideas." 

As an e\angelical in the Church ol 
the |-irethren, I alTirm this t\pe ol arti- 
cle. Keep llieni rolling. 

I'diil W. liruhakcr 
rphraiii. I'll. 



Braaten says it for me. 

Carl Biaalen's "No Other Ciosiiel" 
(laniiarv. page liS) expresses the per- 
sonal experience o\ m\ luisbaiul and 
me. jesus C'hiist is not onl\ lun' Sa\ior 
and LonI: he is the Savior ol the 
world. According to \cts 4:12. "'there 
is saKation in no one else (but lesusl, 
loi' there is no other name under hea\ - 
en gi\en anumg nuirtals b\ which we 
must be saved." 

Mrs l.iikf liiiclhT 
Mvcrsitiwit. I'll. 



A clarifying article 

The ailicle "\o Other Ciospel" 
(lanuarv. page l^^t did justice lo the 
Bicihren stance ol the New lesiament 
being our i.)nl\ creed. It presented 
Icsus as the onl\ Son ol Ciotl atul as 
llie I iiixl and Savior ol the world, even 
as the New Teslamenl also so clearlv 
lIocs. 

Million r'lhiil'i Seclikr 
Caihlo. \.l). 



Making Jesus out a liar? 

I likeel "No Other Gospel" (lanuarv. 
page 18) and also kiund the article on 
Christian imitv (lanuarv, page 241 
interesting. 

I don't jutlgc people b\ labels. Some 
i.)l mv C alholic Iricnds have a better 
ctxiiprehension an^l acceptance ol 
evangelical laith than do manv 
Brethren. 

Mv understanding ol one's relation- 
ship to God centers on the jilace one 
i^ives to lesus Christ and his wurd c)l 



32 .ML'ssciiaci Miuch lsK)o 



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(800) 323-8039 



The Service and ThriTl ReloiJlion Ser\kc 
will reduce your niovinu tost at least 42% dii 
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m Partners 

^ms^ in Pray er 

Daily prayer guide: 

Sunday: Your congregation's ministries 

Monday: Annmil Contercncc ofiicers 

Tuesday: General Board and staff 

Wednesday: District executives. 

Bethany Seminary, colleges 

and university 
Thursday: General Sei\ices 

Friday: i'arish Ministries 
Saturday: World Ministries 

March prayer concerns: 

Congregation: World Day of i'rayer, 
March I. Lo\e least and communion. 

Conference: Study committees that 
will be reporting al Annual Conference 
on Ministerial Leadership. Simple 
Life, and Congregational L.lhics. 

General Board: E\ecuti\e Committee 
and GoaU and Budget Committee, 
meeting March 7-8 in Llgin. 111. The 
General Board, meeting March 9-12 
and working with the Redesign 
Steering Committee. 

Di.s(ricts and schools: l^istrict execu- 
tives participating in the General 
Board meeting. Bethany Seminary's 
president. Gene Roop. and dean. Rick 
Gardner, participating in the General 
Board meeting. 

General Ser^•ices: Commission meet- 
ing March 9-10. Don Fiizkee. chair- 
man: Dale Minnich, executive. 

Parish Ministries: Commission meet- 
ing March 9-10, Phyllis Grain, chair- 
woman; Glenn Timmons. executive. 

World Ministries: Commission meeting 
March 9-10. Bonnie Kline Smeltzer, 
chairwoman: loan Deeter, executive. 



irulli as he i.iut.'Jii ii in llic New 
Icsianicnl. 11 we li\ lo explain away 
lolin 14:(i ("'I am the way, and the 
liiilh, aiul ihc lile. \o one comes lo the 
I alhcr excepi ihrough me "). we make 
lesiis U) speak thai which is no! Iriilli. 

We need lo slii\e lor imil\. hiil il 
tloes nol mean aecepling ihat which is 
conii"ai'\ lo Ciod's Woid. 

/'.;/(/ /.. \c\] 
I iiiii\iMci: I'll 



Who's more pacifist? 

Ciivgg W illu'lni says, "(. alliolics wil 
never embrace pacilism" (laniiary. 



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Office of Human Resources 

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school Willi an excellenl repulalion. 

ADMINISTRATOR/ 

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page 24), Members ol I'ax Cbrisii, ilie 
C'ailiolic I'eacc Icllowship, anc! (he 
Calholic Workei' nunemeni would dis- 
agree. 

Since ihese Calholic peace grotips 
lake a nuieh siroiiger sland againsl 
aboilion llian does ihe Cluircii of llie 
Bielhreii. one could argue llial ihey 
are more coiisislenlly noiuioleiil. 

Icny ( ', Skiihiwuy 
I niiihiinl. III. 



Wliat kind of God would ... ? 

I appreeialecl ihe laniiary edilorial on 
universal salvation. 

Zillions? riial's a good number for 
ihc people losi il we hold a narrow 
ptisilitMi on who knows tlod, 

lesus said lo lorgive 70 limes 7. ami 
he wouldn't slop al 4Q0, 

Can a loving, compassionale Crod 
consign lo elernal punisiimenl a poor 
human being vvlui has lived a miser- 
able, liapped lile here on earlli, or a 
small aleck amassing heaps of posses- 
sicms, wilhoul even a chance in purga- 
tory ■.' 

It is liberating lo believe that God 
welcomes all. I do believe in hell, but 
it's here on earth — in child abuse, 
grinding poverlv, menial illness, and 
so on and so cin, ad inlinilum. 

Poll SniiU'r 
\iirlh Mditchi'slcr. Iiiil. 



CLASSIFIED ADS 



ANNUAL CONFERENCE— Ride the bus w; us to Annual 
Conference in Cincinnati Leave Elizabethlown (Pa ), 
July L return July 8 For information write to J Kenneth 
Kreider, 1300 Sheaffet Road, Elizabethlown. PA 
17022, 

INVITATION— Considenng a move' Continue your |our- 
ney ol laith on a new frontier; come to Carioll County. 
Ill Become pari of gathering of caring people of faith 
with strong sense of community Three long-estab- 
lished Church ol the Brethren congregations, each 
invested in work of Christ locally & in wider church 
Anabaptist community, agnculturally based, multiple 
manufacturing, production facilities Fertile rolling land- 
scape overlooking Mississippi River in N W 111 Diligent 
supportive people, give high priority to education, moral 
development Considering a move"? Make it a lourney of 
faith. Contact Carroll County Brethren, 326 S. High St., 
Lanark, IL 61046 Tel. (815) 225-7812 

INVITATION— Shalom Church of the Brethren, new & 
growing fellowship in Durham, N C , invites Brethren 
moving to Research Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, 



Chapel Hill) lo worship w/ us Eager to provide moving 
assistance (unloading, childcare, area info ) for Ihose 
relocating to area For info . contact Fellowship. PO Box 
15607. Durham, NC 27704 Tel (919) 490-6422 E- 
mail, ShalomCOBifflAOL COM 

TRAVEL— Pilgrimage lo Israel, Jordon, & Greece. Oct. 
20-Nov 2, 1996 (14 days) You are invited to |Oin 
Wendell & Joan Bohrer on their 10th pilgrimage to the 
Holy Land Visit Jericho, Capernaum, Jerusalem, 
Hebron, the Dead Sea, Oumran, Pefra, Athens, Delphi, 
and much more Cost $2,489 from New York For info 
write 01 call 8520 Royal Meadow Drive, Indianapolis, IN 
46217 Tel/Fax (317)882-5067 

TRAVEL— "Alaskan Adventure Tour" leaves Seattle July 
28, 1996 Travel by plane, bus, tram, and Sun Pnncess 
tour ship (Glacier Bay & Inside Passage Cruise), 
14 days, July 28-Aug, 10, 1996 Special pace available 
until Feb 14, 1996. For details, contact tour host, Dr 
Wayne E Geisert, Box 40. Bridgewater College, 
Bridgewaler, VA 22812. Tel. (540) 828-5494, or (540) 
433-1433. 



34 Mcsseiiacr March l^WO 




New 
Members 

Nott; Congregations are asked 
to submit only liie names of 
actual new members of the 
denomination. Do not include 
naiTies of people who have 
merely transferred their mem- 
bership from another Church of 
the Brethren congregation. 

Anlioch. V'irlina: Mark Sloan 

Bachelor Run. S C Ind.: 
Cassandra .Mlbaugh 

Bear CreeU. S. Ohio: Michelle 
Williams 

Beaver Dam, .Mid-.Atf: Donnie 
Moorlleld 

Black Valley, M. Pa.: Timothy 
lames, Angela Miller, lames 
Price, Barbara Seville 

Bridgewater, Virlina: Marjorie 
Dearhart: Catherine, Philip & 
Ralph Shively 

Bush Creek, Mid-Atl.: Robert 
Brunner, William Ernest. 
Elizabeth <t lack Green, lohn 
& Mary Hargett, Martha 
Kehne, Betty Lee, Lee Main, 
Elissa & lames Ohlwiler, 
Richard Regnier, Wilfred 
Rice. Dawn Weister, Cathv 
Wolfe 

Chambersburg, S. Pa.: Leon 
Bierbower: lanora Ebersolc. 
Terry & Tangela Gibbons; 
Suvina Helm; Kelly Horst: 
David Krieger; David 
Pitlman; Andrew. Dione, 
Linda, Margaret, Ordo & 
Rcid Pletcher; Becky & 
lonathan Rotz; Lisa Wenger; 
Tim ^bst 

Christ the Servant. Atl. S.E.: 
Vickie .-^dams. Karen 
Bcdalovs. Karen Bogan. Scott 
Collia, Melissa & Stefanic 
Hendrix, Bob & Wayneth 
lackson. |im Naclitz. .April & 
Bill Rees. .Augusta & Robert 
Skaggs, Begib &l Mimi 
Younis 

Cocalico. Atl. .N.E.: Christina 
Hecker. Laina Martin. 
Brenda & Neil Wagner. 
Kathy Zimmeinian 

Daylon, Shen.; Elizabeth Adjei; 
Amanda. Angela & Arnold 
Adjetey; Micah Bowman; loel 
Brunk; Andrew. Lee & Lee 
Ann lackson; Cindy May; 
Marilyn Reish 

Detroit First. Mich.: Martin & 
Thelnia Campbell, lason 
Elint. |udy Weaver. Christen 
Williams 

Eastwood, N. Ohio; Michelle 
Bridgewater. Charlotte 
Gilbert. David & Leone 
Gindlesperger. Natalie 
Krausse. loe & Shelly 
Lahtonen. Cathy Richards. 
Wilma & Woody Troxell 

Elizabethtown, Atl. N.E.; 
Elaine Burns; Lori 
Freedman; Lori Funck; 
Donald & Lori Henriques; 
Cindy Markham; Anthony & 
Debbie Musser; Doreen & 
Todd Waller; Todd 
Wisotzkey; Rachel Yohn; 



lohnny, Linda & Wa\ne 

Zunkel 
Emmanuel, Virlina; Margrett 

Lawson; Leonard & Patsey 

Martin; David & Eunice 

Murphy: Dan, Sam. Stan & 

Sue Myers 
Ephrata, Atl. N.E.: Michael & 

Theresa DeAcosta. Karen & 

Manfred Filer. Mona Lisa & 

Randy ffechman, Karen & 

Steve Wiker 
Everett, M. Pa.; Ruth Beck. 

Mike & Rosa Leidy. Chuck 

Renter 
Fellowship, Mid-Atl.: Nicole 

hlonsaker, Nicholas Smith 
Florin, Atl. N.E.: Connie Miller; 

Bob. Barb A: Rob Strickler 
Harrisburg First, Atl. N.E.: 

Susy Atkins, Tom Beenc, 

Darlene & Earrell Black. 

.M.E, Harris. Lisa McGill. 

Bob Snyder 
Hartville, N. Ohio: Austin Clay, 

Theresa Kealon, Melinda 

Ktundt. leffrcy Lineweavcr. 

leffrey & Mary .Morgan. 

Michael & Traccy Parker. 

Emily Pettigrew. Sarah 

Wahlcrt 
Kokomo, S C Ind.: Terri 

Cingerich, Brenda Holloway. 

Holl\ Kirkpatrick. Dennis & 

Betty Mitchell. Doug 

Soblotne 
La Verne. Pac. S.W.: Richard 

Coles; Kay Lynne Cox; 

Dorothy & Robert Deal; 

Karin Heckman; Patty 

McGrady; loe Martinez; 

Carol Moore; Annette, |an .i 

lonathan Reed; Frances 

Welch 
Lafayette, S,'C Ind.; Rory 

Greene, Donna Keener 
Lititz, .Atl. N.E.: less Schload 
Lone Star, W. Plains: Andrew & 

Matthew Eishburn; Clint & 

ID. Flory; |eff& Kathy 

Heeb; Fran lohnson; Dean. 

Martha & Sarah Nieder; 

lustin cSc Kcllie Stebbins; 

Icanc W^aisncr 
Long Green Valley, .Vlid-.AtL: 

Mickey Marsh, Paula 

Sagandoy 
Maple Grove, N. Ohio: David, 

lohn, Kathy & Mark 

Ballinger; Courtland & 

Eileen Dessenberg; Audrey. 

David & Matthew Horn 
Morgantown, W. Marva: loshua 

Cottrill, Lois Harder. F^chard 

i: |oy Hosteller. David &i 

Cindy Lewellen. Steve 

Rinehart 
Mount Pleasant. N. Ohio; Don. 

Pat I.V; Tim lohnson 
Nampa, Idaho: Ivan & Lorraine 

Dunbar. Vern Elliott. Gordon 

& Lilah Hansen. Mable 

Quarnbwerg 
Nappanee, N. Ind.: lames 

Dunn; Mark. George 

Malcolm; Deena & Londa 

Newcomer 
Northern Colorado, W. Plains; 

Ian Elliot. Shane Knutson 
Oak Park, W. Marva; David & 

Melissa Deein, Todd Hetrick, 

Karen & Wayne Ray, lohn & 



loNce Williams 
Phoenix, Pac. S.W.: Melville & 

Olive Carraro. Renee 

Downhour, .Albert Goletz, 

Annette Martin, Esther 

McMane, Leo & luanita 

Sarten, Connie Smallev, lohn 

Wolf 
Pine Creek, N. Ind.; Al 

Crutchfield. Don & Mary 

Ecker. Sandy Norris 
Pleasant View, Mid-Atl.: Chad 

Sowers, losh Slrite, Terry 

Thrasher 
Prices Creek, S. Ohio; Brad & 

Leslie Bowers. Brent Dane. 

David Huhn, Abby Miller 
Reading, Atl. N.E.: Dennis and 

\'icki Clements, lennifer 

Ravel, Dennis Werner 
Roanoke, S. Plains: loycc & 

Kelly Derouen. Nick Prejean. 

lason W'enzel, Bruce 

Woodard 
Rummel, W, Pa.; Kristi & 

Michael Cordetskv. Kerrv 

Dollak 
Springfield, Atl. N.E.: Daniel 

Burnside. Robert & Corrine 

Walters 
Staunton, Shen.: Christina & 

Shirley Fultz. Crystal 

Hudlow, Gary lohnson, 

Christie Lunsford. Stephanie 

Massie, Laurie Nolley. Vina 

Rankin. |une Sellers. Roy 

Sprouse. Gary Traxler 
Syracuse, N. Ind.; Mark & 

Patty Neibert. Al Patrick 
Tucson. Pac. S.W.: Marie 

Bowman. Bob & Sybil Kcim. 

Merna Swiharl 
Woodgrove, Mich,: Ann 

Sandusky 

Deaths 

Abbott, Alice, SQ. La Verne, 

CaliL, Dec. IS, 1995 
Anderson, Roy Michael, 4t>. 

Bassett, Va.'. Ian. 29, 1 99b 
Austin, Vincent, 78, Philippi, 

W.Va., Oct. 22, 1995 
Baile, Marv. 82. Hanover. Pa.. 

Oct. 25,' 1995 
Bailey, Lil, 85, Quinier. Kan.. 

luiy I. 1995 
Ball. Ted. 82. MoatsviUe. W.Va.. 

Sept. 11. 1995 
Becker, Marlene. 55. Gordon- 

ville. Pa, Oct. 3, 1995 
Bentzel, Roy, 78, Manheim. 

Pa., May'7. 1995 
Betts, Bert", 92. La Verne, Calif,, 

Sept. 12. 1995 
Bollinger, Mary. 83. Manheim. 

Pa.. Nov. 1.'|995 
Bowman, Ezra S.. 94. 

Callaway. Va.. |une 19, 1995 
Boyd, Ellen, 77, Cainbridge 

City. Ind., Aug. IS, 1995 
Bridenbaugh, Gertrude, 94. 

Martinsburg, Pa., Nov. 

20. 1995 
Brightbill, Beulah M., 83, 

Lebanon, Pa., Dec. 16. 1995 
Bryant, Violet. 73. Quinter, 

Kan., Oct. 8, 1994 
Button, Cecile, 79. Claremont. 

Calif.. Dec. 13. 1995 
Carey, Stanley R., 85, Union- 
town, Pa., Nov. 10, 1995 



Carpenter, lean. 68. Lebanon. 

Pa.. Dec. II. 1995 
Crill, Beulah, 94, Wenatchee, 

Wash., Feb. 24, 1995 
Crist, Rov. 103. Ouinler. Kan.. 

May 6", 1995 
Diffenbaeh, Anna. 75. Lititz, 

Pa., lunc Ifa. 1995 
Eriekson. \elnia. 87. 

Wenatchee. W'ash.. Feb. lb, 

1995 
Eshelman, Mark. 63. Manheim. 

Pa.. ,Aug. 31, 1995 
Fletcher, Murriel. 93. Quinter, 

Kan., No\. 2b. 1994 
Flora, Howard, 76, Boonesville. 

\'a.. Dec. 10, 1995 
Flory, Emmert. 71, Trov, Ohio. 

.viarch 16, 1995 
Foster, Esta. 88. Bridgewater. 

Va., Oct. 22, 1995 
Fulk. Rov W,. 80. Girald. 111.. 

Aug. 25. 1995 
Funderburg, Glen. 89. New 

Carlisle, Ohio, Dec. 7. 1995 
Gibble, Rulus. 87. Manheim. 

Pa., Sept. 28, 1995 
Griffin, Wo\etta. 76, Quinter. 

Kan.. Dec, 20. 1994 
Hageman, Pauline. 80. Troy. 

Ohio. Ian, 15. 1995 
Harnish. Richard. 87, Defiance. 

Ohio, Nov. 10, 1995 
Harper, lohn L., 88, Moyers, 

W.Va., .Aug. 9, 1995 
Hartman, W,A., 82. Harrison- 
burg. Va., Oct. 25. 1995 
Hilton. lanet. 50. Hanover, Pa,. 

Oct, 30. 1995 
Hodges. Evelvn W. 81, Boones 

Mill. Va.. July 29. 1995 
Hoover. Rosemary. 77, 

Kokoino. Ind.. Oct. 3. 1995 
Horst. Daniel. 84. West Salem. 

Ohio. Nov, 30, 1995 
Huxman. |, Allene, 87. Quinter. 

Kan,. Nov, 22. 1994 
lamison, Kenneth. 90. Quinter. 

Kan., luly 9. 1995 
Kindy. Elina. 99. North Man- 
chester, Ind., May 5, 1995 
Kintner, Ethel, 84. Fort Wavne. 

Ind,. Sept. 7. 1995 
Kissinger. Stuart, 89, Waynes- 
boro, Pa,, Nov, 25, 1995 
Lahman, Ralph. 88, Quinter. 

Kan,. Ian. 19, 1995 
Lehman, .Mary E., 73, 

Canipbelltown. Pa.. Aug, 20. 

1995 
Leonard, Willard B., 69. 

Cambridge Cit\, Ind., Dec, 

14, 1995 
Lowe, Maurice, 85. Nfanheini. 

Pa.. May 19. 1995 
Lowell, Sperline, 73, East 

Wenatchee. Wash.. Mav 1. 

1995 
Lueabaugh. Abcrta. 92. 

Hanover. Pa.. Nov. 11, 1995 
Magee, Nicole L., Kansas City. 

Kan.. Aug. 16. 1995 
Marinello, Esther, 78, Troy. 

Ohio. March 17, 1995 ' 
Matile. Ulvsse.s. 81. Alpe. Kan.. 

luly 4. i995 
Messcrsmith. Minerva E.. 89, 

Glen Rock. Pa.. Nov. 30. 

1995 
Miles. Charles. Sb, Queen Citv. 

.Mo.. Sept. 21. 1995 
Miller. George W.. 95. Bridge- 



water. Va.. Sept. 5. 1995 
Miller, lohn A.. 89. Lebanon, 

Pa., Nov. 20, 1995 
Miller, W. Eldo., 80, Fort 

Wavne, Ind., lulv 17, 1995 
Mohler, Fern, 88, McPherson, 

Kan., Nov. 27, 1995 
Moore, Ethridge. 74. GaKeston. 

Ind., Sept. 17. 1995 
Moore. Nellie. 80. Wenatchee. 

Wash.. Aug. 9. 1995 
Moorehouse, Vivian. 81. 

Warsaw. Ind.. Oct. 5, 1995 
Neidermyer. David. 1 8. Lititz. 

Pa.. Sept. 23. 1995 
Ness. Charles E.. 84. ^brk. Pa.. 

Dec. 10, 1995 
O'Claar. Laura. 74. C]a\sburg, 

Pa., March S, 1995 
Ogden, Dwight, 85, Moulton, 

Iowa, Oct. 31, 1995 
Pearson, .Art. 8 1 . Wenatchee, 

Wavh.. lunc 1. 1995 
Pippenger. Irene. 77, Nap- 

pannee, Ind,. May 5. 1995 
Price. Mildred. 93. La Verne. 

CaliL. Aug. 27, 1995 
Reazin, MeKin. 76, .McPherson, 

Kan.. Nov. 19. 1995 
Reinecker, Lila. 81. Quinter. 

Kan., lunc 9. 1995 
Reynolds. Etha. 91. .Ankeny. 

Iowa, lune 27. 1995 
Rudisill, Ellen, S3, Sebastian, 

Ela.. No\. 7. 1995 
Shafer, .Alien. Si. Nappannee, 

Ind.. Dec, 13, 1995 
Shaffer. Ruth D,. 79. Nevv 

Oxford, Pa., Nov. 30. 1995 
Shelly, Clyde, 85. Manheim. 

Pa.. Nov. 4. 1995 
Shenk, Mary Elizabeth. 86. 

Lancaster. Pa.. March 20. 

1994 
Shonk. Clyde. 61. Ephrata. Pa.. 

Sept 3, 1993 
Shonk. Ste\e. 26. Ste\ens. Pa.. 

Sept, 1. 1995 
Simmons. Virginia. 90. 

Harrisonburg. \a., Dec. 2. 

1995 
Smith. Anna S.. 82. .Ankeny. 

Iowa, March 6. 1995 
Sooby. Robert. 65. Kans;!s City. 

Kan.. Oct. 28. 1995 
Stoner. Hilda. 90. Westminster. 

Md.. Dec. 6. 1995 
Teeter. Frederick K,. 65. 

Wesiniinsler. .Md.. Dec. I 1. 

1995 
Tilton, Michael. 13, Quinter. 

Kan.. .March 15. 1995 
Tultle. Ada. 97. Quinter. Kan.. 

March 7. 1995 
Waggoner. Eva. 86. Warsaw. 

Ind.. Nov. 4. 1995 
Waggy, Leslie "loe". 40. 

Franklin. W.\a,. .Aug 24. 

1995 
Wells. Cameron. 89. Lancaster. 

Pa.. May 25. 1995 
Wertz, Howard. S7. Quinter. 

Kan., lune 7. 1995 
Williams, Vernon, 72, Sharps- 

iille, Ind., Sept. IS. 1995 
Winchester. |esse E., 70. New 

Castle, Ind., Aug. 24, 1995 
Woods, Louise E,, 85, Ankeny, 

Iowa, Feb, 1 3, 1 995 
Zigler, Rachel Myers, 90, 

Bridgewater, \a., Ian. 1 7, 

1996 



March 1996 Messenger 35 



Clueless on how the denomination works? 



I king li;i\c hcon inirigiicd h\ the apparcni similari- 
l\ hclwccn Americans' perception of "\\ashingti.)n" 
and Brethren's perception of"! Igin." 

Tor many Americans, "Washington" is just a 
bunch ol scoundiels interested in iiotiiing hut lin- 
ing tiieir pockets witli monc) gained througli polit- 
ical connections, bent on making the system work 
lor themscKes and their cronies, lorexer favoring 
the rich o\er the poor. These Americans can't 
imagine an\ elected lederal olllcial or lederal go\ - 
ernment empknee being just an ordinar\ joe like 
themscKes. Let me hasten to admit that I teeter 
dangerously on the edge of subscribing to this 
\ie\\ m\sell. 

\nd, lor many Brethren, "f.lgin" appuiviitly is 
just a bunch of people who, il they ha\en't actually 
made a pact v\ith the devil, at least ha\e iudel\ 
elbowed their way up the leadership ladder, 
ensconced themscKes in seats of power, and enjo\ 
nothing more than Haunting themscKes helore tiie 
lolks in the pews. Hying off overseas or to confer- 
ences in southern Florida, and busying themscKes 
with piddl\ little programs irrclcsant to the life of 
the denomination. For such Brethren, it likel\ is 
hard to keep in mind that "Elgin" staff members. 
before they traded their souls iov a mess oi pottage, 
were ordinary joes like themscKes. It pains me, as 
one of those "F.lgin" pet)pie, and as a self-perceived 
ordinarv joe. to leel that anyone weaild kiok at me 
as one who schemed, worked, wangled, and 
maneuvered to get a General Board staff job. 

The Februarv 5-1 I \\iislii}i<ii(>ii I'os! weekly edi- 
tion's cover storv is titled "Clueless: .Americans 
Who LOon't KiKiw how Their Country Works." It 
commented at length on a scientilic survey ol 
1.514 randomlv selected .American adults — gener- 
al knowledge questions about how their govern- 
ment works and who their leaders are. The results 
levealed a knowledge gap that is. well, abysmal. 

I. ike the parallel images I described above, there 
seems to me to be something ol a parallel between 
that survey's findings and what I would wager 
might be the findings of a survey ol 1.514 
Brethren i)n how their denomination works and 
who their leaders are. 

Let me lirst cite some ol the ci.)nclusi>.ins drawn 
from the Washington Post survev. As vou read 
them, hear the familiar ring: 

• Knowing basic facts does mattei'. \\ ithout 
basic facts about the players and the game. 
Americans tune out politics and turn off to voting. 

• Less informed .Atnericans are far more likely 
to believe their counirv is in decline. 



• Less knowledgeable Americans are much 
more likelv [o believe that actions by the federal 
government invariably make every problem worse. 

• Lack oi knowledge makes it more difficult for 
the {'resident or Congress to get credit for efforts 
they have made: thus it supports the sense that 
neither ever gets anything done. 

The report went on to cite such things as: 

• Four in 10 couldn't name the Vice President. 
Nearly half couldn't name the Speaker of the 
House. 

• Nearly half of those surveyed did not know 
that the Supreme Court has the final responsibility 
lor deciding whether a law is constitutional. 

• Nearly six in 10 incorrectly believed that the 
government spends more on foreign aid than on 
Medicare. Ironically, when asked how much of the 
budget slioiikl be allocated to foreign aid, the aver- 
age response was 1 3 percent, or fully si.x times 
more than what the government actually spends! 

The l\)st drew the conclusion that "many people 
onlv know or care about those issues that directly 
affect their lives and not those that are of broader 
importance." 

\\ ilJT knowledge comes the power to influence 
what government does and does not do: "The bet- 
ter inlormed are more likelv to participate in poli- 
tics, more likelv to vote, and more likely to con- 
tribute nioncv and the like," 



Jlldiough, You're catching mv drift. If vou haven't 
yet. then read the news item at the top oi page 
7 — findings of an informal survey done by the 
committee designing the restructure of the 
General Board. 

Many "Elgin" staff members were pained b> the 
committee's report. They inferred that those 
Brethren who were surveyed have the perception 
that the present General Board program doesn't 
amount to much and that staff efforts largely are 
ineffectual. Staff winced at being asked how to 
restore momentum, rather than how to incraisc 
nmmentum. 

So, whose iterception. if cither's, is correct'.' 
Does "Elgin" know the folks in the pews any bet- 
ter than the folks in the pews know "Elgin"? Or 
vice versa'.' One learning that certainly is on target 
from all this studying done by the Redesign 
Steering Committee is that there is v\-ork aplenty 
to do as both the Brethren in the congregations 
and the General Board — the served and the 
servers — get better acquainted. — K.T 



36 Mcsscnacr \larcli I'^Qb 




We want to share good news 

about the enhanced value 
of a McPherson College education. 



Beginning in the fall of 1996, each new McPherson College 
student who is a member of the Church of the Brethren 
and who receives a recommendation from their local 
church board will be awarded a $4,000 tuition grant. 



To find out more about this life-changing opportunity, call us at 

1-800-365-7402 



McPherson College 

Developing whole persons 

through scholarship, participation, and service 

McPherson College welcomes all applicants, 
regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, 

or physical or emotional disability. 








What is it like to be forced from \our 
home? To lose your family? To see the 

orld from the other side of the fence. 

rough barbed wire? 

iaze deeply into this child's e\es. into his 
orld . . . sec him. 

God calls you to reach out to him. But what 
you do? 

your concern feed or shelter him? 

your compassion empower him? 

your empathy educate him. or promise 
better future? 

hey can . . . through \our gifts to One 
Hour o\ Sharing. We are called to share 
essings with others. How much does 
ant vou to i>i\e riyht now? 



Give iielp. Give hope. Give life. Give now. 



ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING 




Church of the Brethren 



April 1996 



T 







i! 




^^fct '''"''tTl' 






T^l 




1 ^" 


ri 


le 


cost 


Iv 


CTii 



By pouring this ointment on my body 

she has prepared me for burial. 

Matthew 26:12 




WiHurcl "Dii/v" 

Dulahaum is the 

newest member of 

the MessKNCii R staff. 

serving as writer of 

our study guide. 



roiii llir .lliiiiii!!iii(!' liilili 

v..; (; 

C'llanec ;il the niaslhcad to the rig 
uill sec a ncwl\ listcil positii)ii s 
I'or more than a (.Iccadc, a stud 
for each issue ol Ml ssi:nc.i:r. oITi 
and tlioughl-pnnxiking questions 
eoinersalion by iiKli\itluals. SuntI 
groujis. Tlie studs guide is iree to 
receive it. Currently, bl5 readers 
I'roiii the carls IQiSUs through | 
guide was written by Ml ssi nc!I:r 
Ciibble. But after a I 
his wile Ann at \ilii 
Brelliren. tiie two di 
Ken accepted the \x 
Pa., last fall, and sul 
Ml SSI NL.IR staff. 

While l.inda Myci 
nl Ken's duties, we 
ssritcr. We did ncit I" 
Dulabauni. "Duly" I 
assumed the positi^i 
IJuly is a membei' 
Church of the Breth 
graduate ot Manchc 
Seminary. He has p 
was succeeded at oi 
named Ken dibble!) 
a campus pastor at a college and ; 
as recruiting and training director 
Service. He has written two Breth 
and a youth cuiriculum. and has • 
Conference worship leader. 

Stuely guiele writing iu)w is one 
does when he is not driving buses 
Idgin area. He is active in commu 
community choir, teaches two wc 
serves as a Chicago Architecture I 
even holds a real estate license. Ai 
torates in Carol Stream and Rt)ck 
Duiy's wile and children also ar 
hers. His two daughters each serv 
his son works for some Brethren i 
We welcome Duly to the Mi:ssi 
too, by looking at this month's sti 
inserted into the magazine. 



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COMING NEXT MONTH: A cli 
Annual Conference in Cincinnati. 



Mail to: 




1451 Dundee Avenue 

Elgin. IL 60120-1694 

Phone (800) 323-8039 or (847) 742-5100 

Fax (847) 742-6103 

E-Mail C0BNews@A0L.COM 




Doubting the reigning Jesus 14 

Is there a splinter in Matthew's Great Commission? Ryan 
Ahigrim thinks so, but he explains that while the splinter is a 
source of pain, it also gives us hope. 

Stations of the Resurrection 16 

Through his art and words, Paul Grout takes us to the last week 
of lesus' life, when |esus embarked on his journey to Jerusalem 
that ultimately led toward life, not death. 

Angels: They're everywhere 20 

From the .Vfir )ork Times best-seller list to a two-hour television 
network special, angels seem to be everywhere. Ken Gibble tells 
us. however, that there are many reasons why we shouldn't give 
too much attention to them. 



In Touch 2 
Close to Home 4 
News 6 
In Brief I I 
Special Report 12 
Stepping Stones 1 5 
From the 

General Secretary 
Opinions 26 
Letters 28 
Pontius' Puddle 29 
Partners in Prayer " 
Turning Points 51 
Editorial 52 



24 



No one is beyond redemption 22 

Convicted of multiple crimes he committed by betraying a man's 
trust, a repeat offender is sentenced to prison. Such a scenario 
happens each day throughout the US. So is it a news story? It 
is, says Patricia Kennedy Helman, when the victims attend the 
sentencing hearing and express concern, not condemnation, 
toward the perpetrator. 




Cover story: Over the past two years, while con- 
templating jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, 
Paul Grout has been on a journey of his own. 
He has immersed himself in scripture, prayer, 
and thought, and has produced 1 7 pieces of art 
he calls "Stations of the Resurrection." Paul's 
work has been on display throughout Lent at 
Elizabethtown College's Young Center, which is 
where |eff Leard caught up with him to photo- 
graph the display. 



April I'-l'-lb Messenger 1 



rr 



111 1(111 



A Tiny' contrast 

lohn "Tiiiv" McTaggarl s 

nickname hclics his six 
feci three inches. 260 
pounds. Other contrasts 
surface in the life of |ohn. 




John "Tiny" McTaggart 

ivorks on a "thank 

you" gift to one of the 

suppliers to his business. 

Tiny Signs, Ltd. 



"Ill Tuiicli" piofdcs IStetlireii irc 
u'DuUl like you to lucci Sciul 
sloiy ideas and pliolos m "In 
Touch." MliiiESCliR. 1451 
Dundee Are. I'dgin. I L 60120. 



a niember of First Central 
Church of the Brethren, 
Kansas City, Kan. At his 
sign painting shop. Tiny 
Signs, Ltd., |ohn listens 
to tapes of Tibetan monks 
chanting, Zen lessons on 
the art of leadership, and 
popular music. 

His contemplative spirit 
is contrasted with a public 



Four men and a lady 

For the past 1 b \'ears. Bob 
Kettering and Ron Ludwick 

have sung with Ministers of 
Music, a male quartet that 
sings familiar hymns as well 
as contemporary Christian 



role as mayor of Edwards - 
ville. Kan., population 
4.000, lohn is equally 
comfortable espousing 
economic theories, articu- 
lating his spirituality, or 
demonstrating sign paint- 
ing techniques. 

His artistic abili- 
ties have led to 
unique projects, 
such as painting a 
^ zebra design on a 
bus used by the 
Kansas City Zoo. 
But the project of 
which he is most 
proud is a hip|"io 
head and brick 
wall design paint- 
ed on a local radio 
station van. 

John's artistry 
has lead to articles 
featuring him in 
two national trade 
magazines. Signs 
of the Times and 
Sign Business. 
John and his 
wife, Sandra, have 
attended First 
Central for several years, 
where he has served as an 
Annual Conference dele- 
gate, chairman of dea- 
cons, and moderator. 

The organized church 
hasn't provided all the 
spiritual food lohn need- 
ed. Delving into mysti- 
cism helped him better 
understand the humanity 



music. All four i.i| the mem- 
bers have been or currently 
are involved in a church 
music ministry. 

"We also are interested in 
new church development, 
and the group is a good 
way to bring people in to 



and divinity of Christ and 
God as creator. He thinks 
all artists have a need to 
search and contemplate. 

Believing that creativity 
has no boundaries except 
the universe, |ohn holds 
creativity and reality in 
balance. While some 
artists turn to self- 
destruction or addictive 
behaviors because of this 
tension, lohn chose self- 
discovery and spiritual 
growth. Interest in the 
mayoral position devel- 
oped from this process. 

After being a sign paint- 
er for over 50 years. John 
wanted to combine his 
creativity with a desire to 
strengthen his organiza- 
tional skills. His election 
as mayor in 1993 and re- 
election in 1995 provided 
that opportunity. 

When asked how he 
keeps the parts of his life 
balanced, lohn points to 
his workshop space, not- 
ing similarities to his life. 
One side is cleared and 
uncluttered; the other side 
he calls "creative chaos." 

"It doesn't always stay in 
balance," he admits. For 
this man of contrasts and 
creativity, that seems just 
right. — Connie Burk- 
holl:)ER 

Connie Burkliolder is pastor 
of First Central Church of the 
Brethren. Kansas City. Kan. 



the church." said Bob. 

Bob. a member of l.itilz 
(Pa.) Church of the Breth- 
ren, is the Church of the 
Brethren director of New 
Chuich Development. Ron 
pastors Hanoverdale 
Church of the Brethren, in 



2 Messenger .■\pril 1 996 




Ministers of Music includes Church of the Brethren 
members Ron Ludwick and Bob Kettering (on the left). 



Hummelstown, Pa. 

The social director of the 
Brethren Village. Lancaster. 
Pa., and a Brethren in 
Christ minister complete 
the quartet. A Brethren in 
Christ organist accom- 
panies the group, some- 
times lending her voice. 

The group has performed 
at the 1995 Annual Confer- 
ence in Indianapolis, dis- 
trict events, and on tours 
throughout Florida and 
New England. The group is 
scheduled to perform at 
National Older .Adult Con- 
ference III in September at 
Lake lunaluska, N.C. 

In lanuary. the Ministers 
of Music and 83 other 
Brethren, Mennonite. and 
Brethren in Christ members 
spent a week on a Caribbean 
cruise. Earl Ziegler, 1 994 
Annual Conference modera- 
tor and pastor of Lampeter 
(Pa.) Church of the Breth- 
ren, served as the chaplain. 
The group spent each morn- 
ing in meditation and with 
music from Ministers of 
Music. 

The group, which has re- 
corded two tapes, hopes to 
travel to Wales, United King- 
dom, to compete in a festival 
competition in 1997, and to 
take a group with them on a 
tour of the Greek Islands 
and the Holv Land in 1 998. 



Names in the news 

Andy Brunk. a member of 
Summit Church of the 
Brethren near Bridgewater, 
Va.. was pictured in a 
lanuary Gospel Henild (a 
Mennonite magazine) arti- 
cle wearing his camping 
backpack as he received his 
diploma from Eastern 
Mennonite University last 
spring. Andy, a former 
Brethren Volunteer Service 



Lending a hand 

Ryan Krenek and 
Michael Wenger were 
enjoying a sled ride with 
their friend, Zachary, fol- 
lowing one of the East 
Coast's major snow 
storms in lanuary, when 
they were called on to 
perform acts of heroism. 

Ryan and Michael, 
members of Mohler 
Church of the Brethren 
(Ephrata, Pa.) junior high 
youth group, helped 
Zachary, who broke his 
leg during a ride down 
the hill. 

The two boys immobi- 
lized their friend's leg, 
covered him with a blan- 
ket, and placed him on 



worker and Youth Peace 
Travel Team member, was 
emphasizing his major — 
camping, recreation, and 
outdoor ministries. He now 
works for Shenandoah Dis- 
trict's Camp Brethren 
Woods. The magazine arti- 
cle was titled. "Wanderer, 
Come Home, but First, 
Wander." 

• )o and Fred Wampler. 
members of Walnut Grove 
Church of the Brethren near 
Damascus. Va., recenriy 
returned from a three-month 
stint in India. At Dahanu 
Road Hospital, where the 
Wamplers served as medical 
missionaries in the 1 960s, 
Fred volunteered his services 
as a general practitioner. 
The Wamplers took along 
$ 1 .000 in donations, which 
was used mainly for hospital 
repairs. Another visit to 
India is tentatively planned. 




the sled to move him to 
the road while an ambu- 
lance was called for help. 

"We learned what to do 
by watching shows like 
Rescue 911," Ryan said. 

"When they saw the 
accident, they kicked into 
gear," said Ephrata Police 



• A 1995 book. Demo- 
cracy on Trail: The Japan- 
ese-American E\ \icuation 
and Relocation in World War 
II (by Page Smith, Simon 
and Schuster), highlights the 
work of Mary and Ralph 
Smeltzer of the Church of 
the Brethren in getting |ap- 
anese-Americans out of con- 
centration camps into which 
the US government had 
thrust them (December 
1981, page 10). Comments 
Dean L. Frantz. who fol- 
lowed the Smeltzers' work 
as director of Brethren 
Ministry to Resettlers (Nov- 
ember 1988, page 11), 
"Author Page Smith has 
confused the Church of the 
Brethren with the United 
Brethren, but who cares 
about the credit? The work 
was done!" (See Florence 
Date Smith's "Days of 
Infamy," November 1988.) 



When the time came for 
them to help a friend in 
need, Ryan Krenek and 
Michael Wenger showed 
intelligence, composure, 
and compassion. 



Chief Charles Steiner. 
"Their friend could have 
sustained more serious 
damage had they not acted 
so quickly and efficiently. 

"They need to be recog- 
nized for doing an out- 
standing job," Steiner said. 

"We've gotten letters 
from the police depart- 
ment and our friends and 
family talk about it a lot." 
Michael said. 



April l'-)S)b Messenger 3 





e 



Turkeys spread joy 

It began as a challenge 
from one person to give 
Christmas turkeys for ur- 
ban ehm'eiies in Atlantic 
Northeast District, It 
liu-ned into something 
much larger than anyone 
could have predicted. 
One Sunday in Novcm- 




IV/u'/i the members of 

Chiques delivered 

their turkeys to 

Brooklyn First pastor 

Phill Carlos Archhold 

(right), they received 

something in 

return — a beautiful 

solo by a Brooklyn 

resident. 



"Clvsc to Home" hiiihligliis 
news of eongregatioiK. Jisirieis. 
eotleges. homes, and other loeal 
and regional life. Send story 
ideas and pliotos to "Close to 
Home." Messenger. 1451 
Dundee. Ave. Elgin. II. 60120. 



ber. Chiques Church of the 
Brethren. Manheim. Pa., 
member Kevin Hicknernell 
challenged the congrega- 
tion to give 225 turkeys for 
distribution in Lancaster 
and Germantown. Pa., and 
Brooklyn. N.Y. 

The project quickly cap- 
tured the imagination of 
the members so that, by 
Christmas, the Chiques 
Brethren had o\er 500 1 2- 
to 14-pound turkeys, most 
of which were accompa- 
nied by several cans of 
fixin's and pies, estimated 
atnearlvS10,000. 



Campus Comments 

Bridgewater College has 

named its new SIO million 
science and mathematics 
building the McKinney Cen- 
ter for Science and Math- 



"It was a total church 
effort." Kevin said. "It 
sparked a new breath of life 
in the church to be invoh'cd 
with outreach ministries." 

Cash donations alone 
totaled over $6,000. indivi- 
duals and families packed 
over 1 00 bo.xes on their 
own. and one successful 
hunter provided venison 
for eight dinner boxes. 

Nearly 60 people helped 
pack the boxes containing 
food for both body and 
soul. Most boxes included 
a book of poetry by Ruth 
Wolgemuth and a flyer by 
Mike Wise explaining the 
gift of salvation. Both 
Ruth and Mike are 
Chiques members. 

The dinners were distrib- 
uted to a local rescue mis- 
sion, and through the Al- 
pha and Omega. German- 
town, and Brooklyn First 
congregations. 

Phill Carlos Archbold. 
pastor of Brooklyn First, 
expressed appreciation for 
the turkeys and for the 
many other ways that the 
churches of the district 
support the congregation's 
AIDS ministry. 

"We thank God for this 
extended family," Phill 
said. "We thank you for 
always thinking of us." 

— DON'M.D FiTZKEE 

Don Fitzkee is a member of 
Chiques Church of the Brethren 
and tite General Board. 



ematics. The name honors 
the college's most generous 
benefactor, the late Robert 
Myers McKinney of West- 
minster. Md. 'I'he center, 
which opened last August, 
will be dedicated this 



Founders' Day. April 12. 

• Robert W. Neff. presi- 
dent of luniala College, has 

been chosen as a member of 
the President's Commission 
of the National Collegiate 
Athletic Association (NCAA), 
Division III. Among its 
responsibilities, the NCAA 
establishes athletic standards 
and official playing rules for 
college sports. 

• The .Alumni Associa- 
tion of Manchester College 
will conduct a summer 
workcamp in lamaica. in 
which participants will help 
with building and mainte- 
nance at Maranatha School 
for the Deaf. Non-alumni 
also are invited. 

• Bridgewater College 
celebrated Black History 
Month (February) with a 
professor and student dis- 
cussing "Celebrating Diver- 
sity" on "Bridgewater Col- 
lege Presents." a local televi- 
sion program. Bridgewater 
sociology professor Mwi- 
zenge Tembo. a Zambian, 
talked about his homeland 
and keeping his three sons 
in touch with their heritage. 
Student Larenda Ridley of 
Chesapeake. Va.. told how 
the college and community 
can be more welcoming to 
African -American young 
people. 

• luniata College will be 
the location of the DuBois 
Business College branch 
campus. The branch, which 
is scheduled to open in the 
fall, will offer 18-month 
associate degrees in special- 
ized business programs and 
nine-month diploma pro- 
grams in accounting and 
stenography. 

• Bethany Theological 
Seminary hosted a photo- 
graphy exhibit of people in 



4 Messenger .April 1*506 




Youth from Prairie City and area churches show off 
the "Gifts of the Heart" kits they assembled. 

Kids with liearts 

The youth group of Prairie City (Iowa) Church of the 
Brethren, with 20 other youth from three area church- 
es, held a "fast-a-thon" in November, raising $800 to 
buy supplies for "Gifts of the Heart" kits for Bosnia 
war victims. The kits were presented at the Prairie City 
community Thanksgiving worship service. 



war-torn Sudan titled "God 
Cannot Let His People Die," 
February 1 7-i\1arch 8. The 
exhibit was on loan from the 
Mennonite Central Com- 
mittee and sponsored by 
Bethany's Peace Studies pro- 
gram. 

• Twenty-seven Bridge- 
water College students spent 
their spring break, February 
24— March 2, working at 
Habitat for Humanity pro- 
jects across the country. 



IVIiami churcli dedicated 

Eglise de Freres Haitiens 

(Church of the Brethren 
Haitian Church), Miami, 
Fla., dedicated its church 
building on February 1 1 . 
Atlantic Southeast District 
helped the church purchase 
the 55-year-old building, 
where over 280 people reg- 
ularly attend. 
According to Berywn 



Networl(ing in IVIaine 

Brunswick Fellowship, 
Lewiston, and Gardner 

congregations of the Church 
of the Brethren have joined 
together to form Church of 
the Brethren Maine Minis- 
tries (CBMM). 

The organization, which 
officially was formed on 
January 1 , will oversee the 
work of the three Maine 
consresations that were 



Oltman. Atlantic Southeast 
district executive, the num- 
ber of attendees could in- 
crease to 550 now that the 
15-year-old fellowship has 
its own building. The con- 
gregation is one of the top 
Brethren churches in the 
rate of growth and worship 
attendance. 

The 550-seat sanctuary 
was filled for the dedica- 
tion, with 59 Brethren from 



planted through the Brethren 
Revival Fellowship (BRF). 
"CBMM is not directly 
affiliated with the BRF." said 
Merv Keller, chairman of 
CBMM. "However, for the 
first three years there will be 
BRF representation on the 
committee." 



TIlis and Tiiat 

Pasadena (Calif.) Church of 
the Brethren hosted the 
1996 Gilbert Peace Lecture 
on February 25. Dr. lames 
William McClendon Ir.. 
scholar-in-residence at Ful- 
ler Theological Seminary, 
delivered the lecture. The 
lecture series was instituted 
in 1985 in honor of church 
member Walter Gilbert. 
• Northern Indiana. 
Southern Indiana, and Mich- 
igan districts helped sponsor 
Ecu-Care '96 conferences 



during February and March. 
The conferences, which were 
held in Columbus and Ply- 
mouth, Ind., and Lansing, 
Mich., celebrated their 20th 
anniversary of nurturing 
church leaders. The American 
Baptist Church, United 
Church of Christ, Episcopal 
Diocese of Indianapolis, and 
Disciples of Christ also spon- 
sored the three conferences. 



Let's Celebrate 

Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church 
of Brethren will celebrate its 
100th anniversary as a con- 
gregation and 40th anniver- 
sary at the Mount |oy Street 
building on April 28. The 
anniversary will be celebrated 
with a commerative worship 
service, a multimedia presen- 
tation, and a luncheon. 

Present and past members 
and friends are invited. 




Haitian members in Miami and their pastor, Ludovic 
St. Fleur, celebrate their new building. 



the Sebring and Lorida, 
Fla., areas attending. Ten 
Haitian pastors from Miami 
churches brought their 
greetings and two churches 
brought their music groups 
to participate in the service. 

1996 Annual Confer- 
ence moderator Fred 



Bernhard spoke at the dedi- 
cation, concentrating on 
how the church at -large 
needs the participation of 
people from other cultures, 
like the Miami church, 
where most of the mem- 
bers, including its pastor, 
were boat people. 



.April IQ'^Ci Messenger 5 





General Hoard's aetion 
an its redesign process 
attracted so much atten- 
tion that the meeting 
room was filled to 
capacity, forcing atten- 
dees to listen from out- 
side the room. 



Tlh- m'u> pagcf. iihluiic iicH'i o] CIninh ol llic 
Brethren orguni:aUoils and niciuhcrs. and iif 
organizations and people of interest to or aj'jUiated 
with tlie CImrch of tite Brethren, \eivs items are 
intended to inform — lliey do not neeessarily 
represent lite opiitious of Messeitger or the Cienetal 
Board, and shoidd not be etinsiitered to he an 
eitdorsemeitt 



General Board accelerates 
redesign, conducts business 

A look ;il iIk'sc iic\\>. pages oi' al the 
Sduivc jiackcl tlial is sciil nionliily lo 
cacli Brethren eongregalion will gi\e the 
eorreel iinpiessitm ihal 
General Board |iro- 
gi'aniiiiing ei.intinues to 
he aelive throughout 
the US and tiie world, 
even llmugh the Board 
eurrently is in the 
midst ol a redesign 
proeess and suhse- 
i.|uent downsizing. 

That doesn't mean 
that the luture isn't al- 
ready alleeting the 
present. Al the 
Board's Sjiiing meet- 
ings, Mareh 7-12, lit- 
tle was diseussed or 
deeided witliout the 
e\er- present redesign 
proeess looming 
about, witji Board 
membeis aiul stall 
aware that reduetions 
to pi'ogram and stalf 
will he com]ileted by 
lanuary lOQJS. 

No more deficit spending 

Tile General Board approved budget 
parameters for 1997. ealling lor the 
Ikiard's lirsl balaneed budget in three 
years. The approved budget ealls lor 
ineome and expenses of Sb. 497, 000. 
with an estimated $472,000 leduelion 
in ik)ard programs and |iersonnel 
neeiled so that the budget ean be met. 

[he Board aho re\ised its 1996 
budget, which calls for $b,b29.000 in 
ineome and $b, 897. 000 in expenses, 
with a deficit of $258,000. 

Though IV)ard members in October 
expressed concern about approving a 
third year of deficit spending in 199b 
and a fourth in 1997. they realized it 
would be counteriiroductive to make 
major reductions before the Board's 
Redesign Steering Committee (RSC) 
recommends what shape Board pro- 



grams should take in the luture. So 
ihe preliminarx' butlget parameters for 
1997 called for a deficit of $314,000, 
with permanenl budget reductions of 
$lb4,000, 

RSC members, howe\ei-, told the 
lUiard that it is well on its way towaitl 
making its initial recommendations 
(see sidebar). So well on its way. in 
tact, that reductions of program ov 
stall needed to balance the 1997 bud- 
gel will be able lo lie made in keeping 
with the new retlesign plan. Thus, the 
RSC asked the B(,>ard to a|ipro\'e a bal- 
anced 1997 budget, which it did. sav- 
ing $314,000 in reseives. 

Korea: The beginning of (he end? 

Ihe Church ol the Bielhren will slay 
in South Korea, at least lor now. Thai 
is whal members o\ the World Mini- 
stries Commission decided alter a 
lengthy review ol tiie program. 

What began in 1990 with an Annual 
Conference directive received a setback 
lasl fall, as the denomination's partnei' 
in South Korea — about 35 Reforma- 
tion I'resbyterian Church congrega- 
tions — unexpectedly broke ofl the rela- 
tionshiji. Without a jiartner and without 
a lacilil\ , the commission in October 
decided to review tlie program. 

Upon the return from South Korea 
in I'ebiuary of Geneial lk)ai-d and 
Atlantic Northeast District representa- 
tives (the sponsoring district ot the 





Timeline 1 


March 


July 


Aug. 


1996 


1996 


Oct. U 


Board adopts 


Board receives 


RSC mem 


core functions. 


options for 


dialog w 




study. 


districts a 


Board adopts 


— 




modified 


RSC meets 


options 


timeline. 


with Standing 
Committee, 

Board reports 

redesign 

process to 

Annual 

Conference, 





6 Messenger .Aiiril \99b 



South Korea mission), three alterna- 
tive recommendations were drafted. 

The first called for field staff Dan 
Kim to establish a Brethren facility, 
which would establish the denomina- 
tion's seriousness and legitimacy in the 
Asian country, and would be used for 
worship, Bible study, and English 
classes. To rent such a facility, the 
Board would have had to make a 
$300,000 refundable down payment. 

Option two called lor about 
S200,000 to be used to rent a smaller 
facility, which would have inhibited 
program development and wouldn't 
have gained Brethren official status 
from the South Korean government. 

Option three called for maintaining 
the status quo — $84.000-per-year in 
costs. S5.000 in revenue — with Kim 
trying to develop the Brethren mission 
out of his apartment. Though Kim, 
Korean Ministries representative David 
Radcliff and Atlantic Northeast district 



executive Allen Hansell each said 
option one would be the only option 
that would allow the program to grow 
and prosper — while option three would 
pretty much end the mission — com- 
mission members voted for option 
three, keeping the program functioning 
as is. at least until more is known 
about the redesign process. 

General Board decisions 

Cuniculwn. The General Board 
approved new guidelines for Church of 
the Brethren curriculum development. 
The last guidelines were approved by 
the 1986 Annual Conference. 

These newly approved guidelines 
will be sent to Annual Conference this 
summer for adoption, and then for use 
throughout the denomination. 

• End-of-Life Decision-Making. 
Through a Board recommendation, the 
End-of-Life Decision-Making paper 
will be presented to Annual Conference 




Ron Finney, co-director of Family 
Ministry and co-district executive of 
South/Central Indiana, pores over 
the Redesign Steering Committee's 
report during its open forum. 



Core functions, timeline are 
approved by General Board 

Though the focus and structure of the 
redesigned General Board won't be 
decided until the Board's October 
meetings, the ideas that will be used to 
shape the new focus and structure, 
and the revised timeline in which the 
work will get done, are in place. 



During their March meetings. Board 
members approved "Core Functions of 
the General Board," which were devel- 
oped by the Redesign Steering 
Committee (RSC) using the Board's 
vision statement adopted last |une. 

The functions are divided into three 
categories (with many subpoints): 

• "Participate with Annual Confer- 
ence in the discernment of God's lead- 



iiesign of the General Board 



^:tober 
11996 

ird selects 
igle option. 

(d receives 
port on 
I'Cation. 

irogram 
!5tments to 
Degin. 

ansition 
in named. 



January 
1997 

RSC and 

Transition 

Team work in 

collaboration. 



March 
1997 

Board 
approves 
redesign. 

Board acts on 
location 
proposal. 

Transition 
strategy 



July 
1997 



October 
1997 



January 
1998 



RSC meets Board makes Transition 



with Standing 
Committee. 

Annual 

Conference 

acts on polity 

changes/RSC 

dismissed. 



final adjust- 
ments. 

Program 

adjustments 

continues. 



complete. 

Evaluations of 
new design 
scheduled. 



shared with Board acts on 



board. 



transition plan. 



ing and assist the Church of the Breth- 
ren with the implementation of the will 
of the body." 

• "Equip the church to make faith- 
ful disciples continue to the work of 
[esus peacefully, simply, together, both 
locally and around the world." 

• "Administer the General Board as 
Christian stewards of human and 
physical resources." 

The timeline adopted by the Board 
calls for the RSC to submit three 
options at the Board's summer meet- 
ing. Those options will be discussed 
this fall, with a final decision made in 
October. 

The timeline also calls for a prelimi- 
nary decision on location to be sub- 
mitted to the Board in October, with a 
final decision to be made next March. 

In the meantime, the Board's Exe- 
cutive Committee and Administrative 
Council have adopted a process to be 
used as programs and staff are reduc- 
ed. Employees at the General Offices 
were informed following the Board 
meetings that reductions could begin 
as soon as Annual Conference. 



April IQQb Messenger 7 



delegates in |uly. As requested b\ 
Annual Conterenee, the paper — whieh 
was eratted by Assoeiation of Brethren 
Caregivers (ABC) — includes last year's 
query on assisted suicide. 

• ('/;//(/ Kxploiidiion. I'he B(.<ard is 
sending a paper on child exploitation 
lo Annual Conference. The paper orig- 
inated from Christian Citizen Seminar 
IQQ5. and was drafted by five CCS '05 
attendees and L^axid Radeliff. director 
o'i Denominational I'eace Witness, if 
accepted by Conlerenee, the document 
will become a congregational study 
paper for one year. 

• (ilohal Food Crisis Fund. The 
Board \oted lo turn the Global Food 
Crisis Fund, which has assisted those in 
situations of hunger or homelessness 
since 1987. into an ongoing fund in- 
stead of being reauthorized every three 
years. The Board also approved using 
the fund for de\elopment purposes. 

• Aid tliroiigh indiiary forcc'^ After a 
year of stud\ h\ congregations, the 
Board's re\ised "Nonviolence and 
Humanitarian lnter\ention" paper will 
be forwarded to .Annual Conference 
for final approval. 

This paper was written after the US 
occupation of Somalia in IOQ2-1QQ3. 
to address how the Church of the 
Brethren should respond to armed 
forces delivering humanitarian aid. 

• ,4 resoluiioii for peace. The Board 
passed a resolution concerning the 
upcoming Israeli/Palestinian peace 
talks, scheduled to begin in May. 

"The Church of the Brethren joins 
with Muslims. |ews, and Christians in 
the US and in the Middle East to sup- 
port principles of justice, religious liber- 
ty, and peaceful resolution of the ques- 
tion of lerusalcm." the resolution reads. 

• iiifunded Mandates. A proposal 
calling for a study and cost analysis of 
unfunded Annual Conference man- 
dates was brought before the Board. 
The proposal originated from the RSC 
and came to the Board as an Executive 
Committee recommendation. 

The Board modified the proposal, 
deciding to ask that the Annual 
Conference moderator join the Board 



chairwtiman in each naming two people 
who w ill deal w ith the proposal and 
then report to Standing Committee and 
lo the Board. No timeline was given. 

• Street \ iolence. in the wake of a 
discussion concerning the papei' on 
non\iolence and humanitarian inter- 




General Board Chairwoman 
Katherine Hess listens to one of the 
many reports given during the 
General Board's March meetings. 

vention abroad, the Board was chal- 
lenged to deal with US street violence, 
by Board member Gilbert Romero. 

The Board passed a motion request- 
ing the Board's Peace Team to produce 
a recommendation on how the church 
can best respond. 

According to David Radeliff. the 
Peace Team will "provide resources 
along with denominational partners'" 
to address the issue. 

Parish Ministries 

Hispanic Ministry proposal. The 
Hispanic Steering Committee decided 
to delay presenting its Hispanic 
Structure proposal until more is 
known about the Board's redesign 
process. The committee also decided 
to postpone the Hispanic Assembly 
from 1996 to 1997. 

• Michigan District model. After 



PMC spent time listening and resourc- 
ing a handful of Brethren congrega- 
tions in Florida in lanuary 1995, the 
staff de\ eloped another model for 
Michigan District. This model is 
designed for Board staff to train dis- 
trict board members, who in tm-n will 
work with pastors and congregations 
in addressing congregational needs. If 
the model proves successful. PMC will 
use it in other districts. 

• Ministry farms. PMC approved 
two new forms for ministry leadership 
inter\iews and profiles — a release 
torm for pastoral profiles, and a re- 
vised background check that focuses 
on ethics in ministry relations. 

General Services 

Cii)ing. The General Board's direct 
mail campaign — under the direction of 
Hm Replogle. director ol' Planned Giv- 
ing — earned S3. 25 per dollar invested 
in 1995. To date the direct mail cam- 
paign has generated $401,505. 

The commission also discussed 
aspects of the redesign process, such 
as how congregational giving could be 
affected. According to Replogle. the 
process could result in lower giving 
because of the uncertainty. 

• Program \ohinteers. Concerns 
were expressed about reduced num- 
bers of program volunteers, both at the 
Brethren Service Center in New 
Windsor. Md. and at the General 
Offices. New Windsor programs under 
financial stress are less able to afford 
the cost of residential volunteers than 
in the past. At Elgin, volunteer use has 
declined in the absence of a volunteer 
coordinator for program volunteers. 

• Elections. New committee mem- 
bers elected during the meeting were 
Mark Flory Steury to the Brethren 
Historical Committee, and Roy 
lohnson to the Germantown Trust. 

• Messesger. Commission mem- 
bers were told that increased market- 
ing efforts have been implemented, 
and that individual and group club 
rates won't be increased this year. 
— Nevin Dulab.mim. Ieff Leard, and 
P.\ut^ S. Wilding 



8 Messenger .April 1 996 



Miller announces he will 
retire on December 31 

Donald E. Miller, general secretary 
of the Church of the Brethren, has 
announced his resignation trom the 
denomination's top administrative 
position, effective December 5 1 . 

Miller announced his retirement to 
General Board members and staff on 
March 9. during the Board's spring 
meetings in Elgin, 111. 

"My mission has been to seek the 
mind of Christ as we listen to our 
people, and to bring about changes 
that are both faithful to the mission 
of the church . . . and are fiscally re- 
sponsible," Miller said. 

Miller has served as general secre- 
tary since September 1986. In addi- 
tion to supervising General Board 
employees and program, he also sits 



on the boards of Brethren Benefit 
Trust and Bethany Theological 
Seminary. 

Miller also has fos- 
tered strong ecumeni- 
cal ties. He serves on 
the National Council 
of Churches Executive 
Coordinating Com- 
mittee and General 
Board, based in New 
York City, and is a 
member of the 1 50- 
person Central Com- 
mittee of the World 
Council of Churches 
(WCC), based in 
Geneva. Among his many accom- 
plishments, in 1994 he played a key 
role in helping create and implement 
the WCC's Progninuiie to Orercunte 
Molence. Miller also is a steering 




Donald E Mille 



Staff changes 



Paul Hoffman, president of Mc- 
Pherson (Kan.) College since 1976, 
has announced his retirement, effec- 
tive in August. 

Gerhard Spiegler, president of 
Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, also 
has announced his retirement, effec- 
tive this summer. Spiegler has 
served as president for 1 1 years. 

John David Bowman, director of 
Bethany Theological Seminary's 
Susquehanna Valley Satellite, 
Elizabethtown, Pa,, has resigned, 
effective March 1 , Bowman, who 
directed the satellite since its incep- 
tion in 1993, currently works with 
Eastern Mennonite University. 

H. Dale Zimmerman has suc- 
ceeded Bowman as interim Bethany 
satellite director. He recently retired 
from Kutztown University, where he 
taught in the graduate counseling 
psychology program. He is a Beth- 
any graduate, and he assists Atlantic 
Northeast District in preparing 
members to enter the ministry. 

Dan Ulrich has been named assis- 
tant professor of New Testament 



studies of Bethany Seminary, effec- 
tive August 1. Ulrich, a 1985 
Bethany graduate, spent 1995 teach- 
ing New Testament at Bethany's 
satellite campus. 




lohii Huvul 
lknrnh:n 



/iiniiicnihin 




Dan i Inch 



committee member of The Meeting 
US Church Leaders, which represents 
over 20 million 
Christians. 

Prior to joining the 
General Board staff. 
Miller served for 25 
years as professor at 
Bethany Theological 
Seminary. From 
1975-1986, Miller 
also served as the 
seminary's director of 
graduate studies. 
Miller, who will 
turn 67 in December, 
earned his Bachelor's 
degree h'om Manchester College. He 
then attended the University of Chica- 
go (Master's), Bethany Theological 
Seminary (Master's of Divinity), and 
Harvard University (Ph.D.). He also 
has studied at \'ale and Cambridge. 
From 1976-1986, Miller helped 
design and implement Bethany's 
Doctor of Ministry program. He also 
was instrumental in the creation of the 
Education for a Shared Ministry and 
TRaining in Ministry programs, which 
are administered jointly by Bethany 
and the General Board. 

Other Church of the Brethren 
involvement has included serving on 
numerous Annual Conference study 
committees, and testifying in 1978 
before the US Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee. 

Miller has written seven books, co- 
authored five others, and has written 
numerous articles, including his 
monthly "From the General Secretary" 
column in Mkssfngkr. 

Miller is married to Phyllis Gibbel 
Miller. They have three grown chil- 
dren. Bryan and Bruce Miller, and 
Lisa Arnould, and three grandchildren, 
Natasha, Madeleine, and Jacob. 

A five-person Search Committee, 
composed of General Board members, 
was named to search for Miller's suc- 
cessor — Don Fitzkee, chair; Kathy 
Hess: Fori Sollenberger Knepp: 
Stafford Frederick: and Beth 
Middleton. — Nevin Dulabaum 



April 199b Messenger 9 



'S 



Brethren focus on religious 
tensions in Jerusalem 

The coexistence oi Nkislims. Chris- 
tians, and leus in letusaleni was ihc 
locus ol a eonlerence attended by six 
Brethivn and 250 oliier Ciirislians 
from 30 countries lanuarv 22-27. in 
lerusaieni. 

The Chuich of the Brelhien dele- 
gates to "The Significance of lerusa- 
ieni for Christians and ot Christians in 
lerusaieni" included 199b Annual 
Conference moderator Fred Bernhard. 
and his wife, loice. Arcanum. Ohio; 
General Board member Hrnest Bolz. 
Ibnaskel. Wash.; lanice Kulp Long. 
Blacksburg. \'a.. a former worker with 
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in 
the Middle East and current CI'T 
staff: Da\id .\Ietzler. Bridgewater. Va.. 
who represents the Church of the 

NSCC executive secretary 
encourages additional aid 

Offering words of gratitude to the 
Church of the Brethren for its sup- 
port in Southern Sudan. New Sudan 
Council of Churches 
Executive Secretary 
Haruun Ruun in 
February said that 
additional aid and ad- 
vocacy on Sudan's 
behalf still is needed. 

Speaking to em- 
ployees at the Church 
of the Brethren Gen- 
eral Offices. Ruun 
spoke of the role of 
Christianity in his 
war-torn country. Be- 
cause the Sudanese 
government is inef- "'"' 

fective in improving the oppressed 
living conditions in the south, the 
work of Christian organizations has 
been greatly needed and appreciated 

"For the Southern Sudanese peo- 
ple, the only thing that is keeping 
them going, the only hope they have 
... is faith in Christ," Ruun said. 




Bi-etliren wiili the National Council of 
Churches hiterfaith Relations in work 
jiertaining to Muslim and Christian 
dialog; and I3a\id Miller, pastor of 
Roanoke (Va.) First Church of the 
Brethren, and a former Brethren 
Volunteer Service w orker on the West 
Bank and former CPT worker. 

"We were considering historical, 
religious, social, and political history 
of the city of lerusaieni and the reli- 
gious communities that have lived in 
this city pretty much simultaneously 
since the 7th century," Miller said. He 
added that though Palestinians have 
long-standing roots to lerusalem, 
Israel has all but eliminated access to 
lerusalem for the 900,000 Palestinians 
li\ing on the West Bank. 

,A resolution was passed, calling for 
Israel to remove all roadblocks and 
obstacles preventing Palestinians from 

"The only credible group at this 
point is the church, and it is the 
church that is sustaining and keep- 
ing that hope in the people." 

According to Ruun, it was helpful 
that the US recently classified Sudan 
as a country that uses 
terrorism. This act 
has helped focus 
international atten- 
tion on the region. 

However, the situa- 
tion has received little 
media coverage. "The 
media have not really 
picked up the Sudan 
case in the same way 
as it did with Somalia 
or Rwanda, and you 
cannot expect people 
to understand what is 
going on in Sudan 
unless the media bring it to their 
attention." Ruun said. 

Ruun called for Brethren to con- 
tinue their active support of the 
Sudanese churches and to work 
through political means to draw 
greater attention to the ravaged 
country. — |t:FF Leard 



iiiin Rutin 



getting to lerusalem, and to halt all 
land exprojirialion in the West Bank 
and the further development oi lewish 
settlements there. 

h also called on Israel to release 
political prisoners, ensure equal rights 
and opportunities for all Palestinians 
living in Israel, and to permit Palestin- 
ians to build houses and develop in- 
stitutions, which hasn't been permitted 
since 19b7. 

The conference was sponsored by 
Sabc'i'l. an ecumenical Center for 
Palestinian Liberation Theology; the 
Middle East Council of Churches: and 
other Christian organizations. 

Information gleaned from the con- 
ference was used by Brethren Middle 
East and Washington, D.C. staff to 
draft a proposed General Board reso- 
lution, which was submitted to the 
Board at its March meeting. 



Calendar 



National Youth Sunday. May 5 | Contact 
MiLith MiiiistriL's. Church of the 
I^ictliren General Offices. (800) 525- 

W)50|, 

Brethren Volunteer Service Orientation, 

L'liit 221. New Windsor. Md.. lune 
21-liilv 10 I Contact BVS Office. 
Cieiieral Offices). 

Bethany Theological Seminary Coin- 
menccmenl, Richniond. liid.. lune Ib- 

210th Annual Conference. Cincinnati. 
Ohio, liilv 2-7 ICunluct Annual 
Conference Office. General Officesl. 

EFSM/TRiM Orientation (liducalion For 
a Shared Ministr\ TRaining in 
Ministry). New Windsor. Md.. August 
5-8 jConlacI Ministry Training Office. 
General Ollices|. 

Brethren Volunteer Service Orientalion, 

with Brethren Revival Fellowship. Unit 
222. Camp Eder. Pa.. August 11-21 
IContact BVS Office. General Offices]. 

National Older Adult Conference 
(NOAC) III. Fake lunaluska. N.C.. 
September 2-b [Contact Association of 
Brethren Caregivers. General Offices]. 

Bethany Emphasis Sunday, September 8. 



10 Messenger April IQQb 




Earth Day Sunday is April 21, and there are many ways Church 
of the Brethren members can be involved. Shantilal Bhagat, director 
of Eco-Justice Concerns, sent a letter with two resources to 465 
congregations in 18 states where congressional support for the 
Endangered Species Act— which is being reconsidered in 
Congress— is crucial. The resources— a bulletin insert and action 
alert on the Endangered Species Act— also are included in the April 
Source packet sent to all congregations. For a list of several envi- 
ronmental justice resources, call (800) 323-8039, ext. 227. 

IVIalcing liis appearance as a guest commentator, Donald 
i Miller, Church of the Brethren general secretary, in February filmed 
' five segments of The American Religious Town Hall Meeting in 
I Dallas. 

i The programs are scheduled to air on over 250 US commercial 
I television stations, beginning in mid-April. 
I Miller appeared on the programs with an ecumenical panel of six 

pastors. Topics discussed included the US military in Bosnia, the 
I atomic bomb, and separation of church and state. 

For program information, call News Services at (800) 323-8039. 

Nearly $3 million had been received through verbal commit- 
. ments by the time the General Board's "Behold, I make all things 
I new" program formally began. 

At its February launching in Carlisle, Pa., General Secretary 
j Donald Miller announced that 20 commitments totaling $1 ,01 0,000 
I for "Behold" programs already had been received. He also reported 

that three deferred gifts totaling $1 .7 million also had been received 

through verbal commitments. 
"We are very encouraged by these early and very generous 

expressions of support for the Church of the Brethren," Miller said. 
I The program calls for the raising of $5 million for "Behold" pro- 
: gram needs dunng 1996-2000, and $10 million in deferred gifts. 

I A total of 3,634 people volunteered 66,473 hours in 1995 as 
Brethren program volunteers, according to statistics released in 
February, Ninety-one volunteers worked 14,609 hours at the 
General Offices, Elgin, III., and 3,543 volunteers worked 51,864 

I hours at the Brethren Service Center, New Windsor, Md. 

Approximately 1.5 million more pounds of clothing will be 
processed and shipped annually through the Material Resource Pro- 
gram at the Brethren Service Center, New Windsor Md., now that it 
is processing clothing for the Adventist Development and Relief 
Agency (ADRA). This new agreement, which went into effect in 
mid-February, will generate more than $50,000 each year 

In 1995, 1,454,625 pounds of clothing were processed by the 
Material Resource Program, meaning the ADRA contract will more 
than double the volume of clothing processed at the Service Center 
each year 




Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 220 completed 
orientation on February 2, in Orlando, Fla. Partici- 
pants were: (front row) Carolyn Pesaturo, Rob Key, 
Scott McElvany, Thomas Schoder, Pete Brubaker, and 
Carlos Schaudel. (Back row) Kimball Cartwright, Rita 
Ware, Tobias Guhl, Scott Shively, Troy Reimer (assis- 
tant to coordinator of BVS orientation), Kai Nygaard, 
Todd Reish (coordinator of BVS orientation), and Petra 
Beck. See page 51 for assignments. 

With $400 billion gambled every year in the US, the National 
Council of Churches and the Christian Coalition have joined together 
to take a stand against gambling. The two organizations announced 
earlier this year that they would work together through the National 
Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. 

This alliance plans to establish a national commission to research 
the impact of gambling on communities, and investigate organized 
crime and political ties with gambling. According to the press 
release announcing the joint venture, gambling is one of the fastest 
growing industries in the US. (Religion News Service) 

CPTGAMEnet, an electronic discussion group to address the 
issue of video game violence, was established by Christian Peace- 
maker Teams (CPT) in February. This new venture in CRT's ongoing 
campaign against violent toys is an open forum for discussion by 
parents, educators, and game players and creators. CPTGAMEnet 
discussions will focus on responsible computer and electronic 
games, creative alternatives to violence in video games, criteria to 
evaluate specific games, and ideas for public witness against video 
game violence. 

"CRT's hope for this discussion forum is to help individuals and 
families critically examine the connections between faith and fun," 
said Janice Kulp Long, Church of the Brethren member from 
Blacksburg, Va., and CPT staff member To join the discussion, con- 
tact the Virginia CPT office at (540) 951-2788. 



./^pril 1 99b Messenger 1 1 



lil'I'l 




A boundless ministry 



by Jeff Leard 

As church leaders in Icbiuarv walclicd 
pariieipanls o\ ihe Annual Assembly (.)! 
the C'huieh of the Bielhren in ihe 
Dominican Republic arri\e in Haina, 
the seaside site of this sear's gathering. 
ihe\ llioughi they had a problem. 
Ha\ing endured long journeys to 
attend the assembh. weary partici- 
pants piled oil the tightly packed buses 
while the leaders slowly began to real- 
ize that there were 70 more people in 
attendance than had been expected. 

Though it appeared to be a logistical 
nightmaie at the time, the problem oi' 
o\ercro\sding was more oi a blessing 
than a curse. .And it was the kind of 
problem that has blessed the Church 
of the Brethren's Dominican Republic 
ministry since its official inception five 
years ago: Leaders simply are over- 
whelmed by all ol the |ieople the min- 
istry is attracting. 

The Dominican Republic is about 
the size ol Maine, ^et in its five years, 
the Brethren mosement has attracted 
over 350 baptized members in 1 I 
churches. 

The oppt)rtunities for growth by the 
Brethren movement appear to be 
almost endless. An energized new 
partnership of more than 50 members 
in Azua is one of four mission sites 
that are serving communities in the 
Dominican Republic. These sites could 
be accepted as official Church of the 
Brethren fellowships as early as 1QQ7. 

Though there is great growth poten- 
tial, making growth happen is not as 
easy as it may seem. Further e.xpansion 
has been hampered by a lack of fund- 
ing to begin new fellowships. 

"We began in the small rural towns, 
but if we could move to the big cities, 
we could get more members." said 
Guillermo Encarnacion. interim direc- 
tor of Hispanic Ministry. Church 
planting in cities requires a greater 
monetary commitment, he added. 

Despite funding limitations, several 
Dominican Republic congregations 

12 Messenger .April IQQb 



ha\e ceMistructcd buildings with the 
help of L'S partners, in l'ebruar\, for- 
mer .Annual Conference moderator 
Harl Ziegler. jiastor of Lampeter (i'a.) 
Church of the Brethren, headed a 
workcamp to construct a ciiurch in the 
small community of I'araiso. lor which 
he also helped raise funds. Alongside 
Dominican Republic brothers and sis- 
ters, his crew of 1 1 made the comple- 




Few children in the Dominican 
Republic have the opportunity for 
formal education, yet many acquire 
a comprehensive understanding of 
the Bible while they still are young. 

tion of a small church possible. A simi- 
lar project was completed last year in 
San juan with the help of Chester 
Fisher, pastor of the Mount Hermon 
congregation in Bassett, Va. 

As the Church of the Brethren in the 
Dominican Republic rapidly expands, 
it is in need of leadership as much as 
meeting space. To meet this need. 
Milciades Mendez. consultant for 
Christian education in the Dominican 
Republic, last year relocated with his 
family from Peru and began a training 
program for Church of the Brethren 
ministers and educators. 

Mendez, who now works with more 



than 50 individuals who are enthusias- 
tic to learn about the J-Jrethren tradi- 
tion, is in the Dominican Re|iublic as 
the result of an agreement between the 
World Ministries Commission and 
.Atlantic Southeast District to train and 
license Brethren pastors. 

According to [incarnacion. Mendez 
has made a terrific impact on the atti- 
tudes of Dominican Republic Brethren 
pastors. 

"Before he came, they would rely on 
i'entecostal religion." Encarnacion 
said. "Now they identify themselves as 
•Anabaptists and as Brethren." 

"Their frame of mind has changed 
from. 'What can 1 take from the 
church'.'' to 'What can I give'.'"" Men- 
dez said. 

Along with this attitude change, age 
has been a huge factor in the rapid 
membership growth. The average age 
in the Dominican Republic is very 
young, and many of Mendez' students 
are still in their teens. Their youthful 
excitement is palpable during worship, 
which bodes well lor the future of the 
church. 

According to Puerto Rican minister 
Oscar 'Villanueva. the students have an 
earnest desire to work for the Lord, 
which he believes to be good. 

in its short history, the Church of 
the Brethren has made impressive 
strides in the Dominican Republic. 
The success of the ministry there is a 
result of capturing the enthusiasm of 
new members and funneling it toward 
the goal of church growth, hi coopera- 
tion with US Brethren, Dominican 
Republic Brethren are hopeful that 
they can keep up with the continual 
expansion of the church. 

"if they keep growing," said Atlantic 
Southeast district executive Berwyn 
Oltman. "they'll grow to be bigger 
than we are." 

It's a problem they are eager lit 
to face. 



leff Lcanl is a Rrelhwii \bhmlec'r Service 
worker from Clendale (Calif J Church of the 
Brethren. ser\'ing in the office of Interpretation. 



by Robin 
Wentworth Mayer 



Stepping Stones is a column offering 
suggestions, perspectives, and opin- 
ions — snapshots of life — that we 
hope are helpful to readers in their 
Christian journey. As the nriter said 
in her first installment. "Remember 
when it comes to managing life's 
difficulties, we don 'l need to walk 
on water We just need to learn 
where the stepping stones are. " 



mm 



I'm always interested in the 
verbs individuals choose to 
describe the counseling 
process. It says a lot to me 
about a person's orientation 
and motivation, and serves 
as a sort of dip stick for a 
preliminary prognosis. 

Some people, for instance, 
fake counseling — I sup- 
pose the way one might 
take an aspirin or an antibi- 
otic. These folks often feel 
swindled and indignant 
when they realize a couple 
of doses of counseling won't 
cure a problem the way 
penicillin might cure an 
infection. 

Others get some counsel- 
ing, not unlike the way they 
get some gas for their car 
or food for their table. 
Years ago, a businessman 
with a marriage in crisis 
came to me. With his wife 
of 25 years threatening to 
leave, he thought perhaps 
counseling was the answer. 

At the close of our first 
session, when I asked if he 
wanted to meet again, he 
responded with: "|ust what 
am 1 buying? What do I get 
for my money?" 1 couldn't 
give him the answer he 
wanted. I couldn't provide 
an ironclad guarantee that 
his wife would not leave. I 
never saw him again. And 
though I have no informa- 
tion concerning the status 
of their marriage, I'd be 
very surprised to learn she 
stayed. Approaching coun- 



seling with a strict con- 
sumer mind-set is like 
wearing baseball cleats for 
ice-skating. 

Still others see a coun- 
selor like they see a movie 
or a ball game. And while 
spectator viewing is per- 
fectly acceptable for recre- 
ational activities, it doesn't 
translate well into recovery 
processes. Consequently, 
those who merely see a 
counselor often are disap- 
pointed with the results . . . 
or lack of them. 

Finally, there are those 
who speak of how they did 
some counseling. The 
implications of this particu- 
lar verb choice are a world 
apart from the others. 

The one who does coun- 
seling is an active partici- 
pant rather than a passive 
recipient — a convert rather 
than a customer, a partner 
as opposed to a patient. 

Someone who talks about 
doing some counseling is 
communicating the need, 
desire, and willingness to 
incorporate precept into 
practice, suggestions into 
decisions, intentions into 
behavior, and talk into 
walk. It goes without say- 
ing, then, that someone 
who does some counseling 
has an excellent prognosis 
for a successful outcome. 

One of my favorite things 
to do in seminary was to 
audit the interesting classes 
I didn't have time to take. 



And it was a delightful low- 
risk, low-investment way to 
glean information. But 
now, 12 years later, it is not 
at all surprising to me that I 
remember far less from the 
classes in which I was a 
"spectator" than I do from 
those in which I was a stu- 
dent. 

You can attend a class, 
but you won't learn much 
without doing the home- 
work. You can attend 
church services, but you 
won't experience many 
benefits without doing what 
is taught. You can join a 
weight loss group, but you 
aren't going to shed any 
pounds if you don't do the 
program. And you can 
attend counseling sessions 
week after week. But 
there's no magic: If there is 
no follow-through, there 
will be no fulfillment. 

However, that thousand- 
mile journey does begin 
with the first step, a first 
step of which the impor- 
tance is impossible to over- 
state. Showing up at a 
counselor's office — even 
brimming with hostility, 
resentment, and skepti- 
cism — is indeed a first 
step. Just remember to fol- 
low it with a second, then 
third, then fourth, 
then fifth 



\Mi 



Robin Wentworth Mayer is pas- 
tor of Kokomo (Ind.) Church of the 
Brethren. 



April 1996 Messenger 13 




by Ryan Ahlgrim 

".\()ii- the 1 1 (//'m'/'/'/c'.'- ii'c7/; /() Cliililcc. 
t(i the iiioimtiiin to whicli /c'm/.s /?(/i/ 
ilireacd thciii. When they 
saw him. they ivorshiped 
him: hilt some dotihteiL And 
lesiis eanie and suiil to them. 
'.Ml authority in iteaveii and 
on eartii has heen iii]vn to 
tne. Co therefore and titake 
diseiples of all nations, bap- 
tizing them in the iiiime of the 
I'ather and of the Soit and of 
the Holy Spirit, and teaehing 
them to obey everything that I 
haw eommanded you. \nd 
retnember I am with yon 
always, to the end of the 
age.'" I Matt. 2S:lb-2Ui 



as| sunmicr I liinmicd all ol the 
bushes in my hackvard and cut 
cuit all of the saplings and 
branches growing through 
m\ fences. When 1 was washing up. 1 
noticed that e\ery time I rubbed the 
end of m\ little finger 1 uas getting a 
sensation ol pain. L pon closer inspec- 
tion. 1 disco\ered a tin\ splinter embed- 
ded in the tip of my finger, so small 1 
could barely sec it. 1 tried to pull it out 
\^•ith a tweezer, but it was too deep. So 
1 lefi it there, depending on nature to 
slo\\l> work it out. But all week. e\ery 
time I brushed the tip of my finger 
against something. I felt that little pain. 

Every time 1 read the Great Com- 
mission in .Matthew 2i>: 1 b-20. 1 feel a 
little pain. A splinter is embedded in 
the passage, so small it is bareh 
noticeable. 1 would guess that most 
people never see it. But if you brush 
up against it. it gives you a little pain. 

The splinter is: "but some doubted." 
The I 1 disciples (ludas is now dead) 
go back to Galilee. They go to a 
mountain that |esus had instructed 
them to go to. There they see |esus — 

14 Messenger .April 1996 



Doubting 
the 




reigning 




Every time I read the 

Great Coiuiuission, 

f feel a little pain. A 

splinter is embedded 

in the passage, so 

small it is barely 

noticeable. 



ali\e. risen fi-om the dead! Thex' fall 
down on their knees and worship him. 
But some doubted. 

What really is irritating about this 
splinter is that it is never removed, it 
stays there. It is the last word about 
the disciples in Matthew's Gospel. Did 
the doubters ever change their minds'' 
Matthew does not say. Did they go to 
their own deaths doubting that lesus 
was among them? Matthew does not 
say. This truly is a painful splinter. 



vvr-,; in: 




Why did Matthew put that splinter in 
there? He didn't have to add those three 
words, "but some doubted." did he? If 
he had left out those three little words, 
do you think anybody in his chureh 
would have noticed? Or minded? In 
fact, would not the ending of Matthevv's 
Gospel have been improved if he had 
just left out those three words? 

So why did Matthew stick that splin- 
ter in there? Why did he ha\e to admit 
that some of the 1 1 disciples doubted? 
Maybe because that is what actually 
happened, and he felt obligated to tell 
the truth. Yes, but did he have 




to be that truth- 
ful? When we 
report an actual 
incident, we don't give all the details. 
We feel free to leave out details that 
don't help the story. So why doesn't 
Matthew just leave out that detail since 
it doesn't help the story? 

Maybe because not only did some 
of the original disciples have doubts. 
but so did some of the Christians in 
Matthew's church. Perhaps Matthew 
wants to say to the people in his 
church: just because you have some 
doubts does not mean you are exclud- 
ed from Christ's Great Commission. 
You are no different from those 1 1 
disciples. Some of them had doubts, 
too. But jesus still wanted them, and 
lesus still wants you. 

What exactly were some of the peo- 
ple in Matthew's church doubting? 
Were they doubting that [esus was 
alive, raised by God? Apparently so. 
But 1 think it may have been some- 
thing even more specific than that. 
What does it mean to be raised by 
God? What does that say about the 



person who has had this unique and 
miraculous thing happen to him? 1 
think what some people in Matthew's 
church were doubting was the very 
first thing jesus said to his disciples: 
".Ml authority in heaven and on earth 
has been given to me." 

Think about that statement. It is 
indeed hard to believe. It is one thing 
to believe that God may have some- 
how resuscitated someone and that 
this person in some way lives on, but it 
is quite another thing to believe that 
this person now has all authority in 
heaven and earth. Some of the 1 1 dis- 
ciples doubted that. Some of Mat- 
thew's church members doubted that. 
Some of us in the church today doubt 
that. But the risen lesus makes this 
incredible claim: I am now king of 
everything everywhere. I have all 
authority. My kingdom has now begun 
and I reign over all. 

fesiis^ authority^ is 

the authority^ of truth, 

goodness, and 

spu'itual reahty. 

The book of Revelation mentions 
that Christ will have a thousand-year 
reign on earth, when the dragon and 
forces of evil are bound and thrown in 
a pit. But according to Matthew (and 
according to Paul, for that matter), the 
reign of Christ is now. Christ actually 
is reigning over all the earth no\\'. The 
jiresent age is not under the rule of 
Satan. The king of this world is not 
some dark force. No. lesus is the ruler. 

Is his kingdom readily visible? No. 
Are there various forces in rebellion 
against his authority and reign? C^b- 
viously. But even v\'hen certain factions 
are in rebellion, the king is still the 
king. And what makes lesus king is the 



fact that he has all the authority. lesus 
does not use his authority to crush 
rebellion and coerce obedience. Rather 
than being the authority of force, 
jesus' authority is the authority of 
truth, goodness, and spiritual reality. 
These are the things that will bring the 
rebellions to an end. and jesus will be 
recognized as lord of all. 

1 have to admit it is hard for me to 
beliexe that lesus is king of this world. 
My first instinct is that money is king 
of this world. For example, about 90 
percent of elections in the United 
States are won by the candidate who 
spends the most — not the candidate 
who is most intelligent, honest, or 
capable. Money runs world politics, 
determining which nations have 
power. Money is the physical basis of 
our continued existence. 

But can't you imagine the risen 
jesus, on a hilltop in Galilee, telling 
a group of rough fishermen: 
"President Clinton isn't king of the 
world. Oil isn't king of the world. 
Economics isn't king of the world. 
The military isn't king of the world. 
Big business isn't king of the world. 
Money isn't king of the world. Evil 

isn't king of the world I'm king of 

the world." 

And then jesus turning to the 
doubters and saying: "I want you to 
make my kingdom known. I want you 
to overcome the rebellions by making 
people into my disciples. Conquer 
them with my teachings. Wash them 
with my baptism. Open their eyes to 
my truth, my goodness, my reality. 
And although it's hard to belie\e. I'm 
with you always, helping to make this 
happen, till the end of the age," 

The splinter in Matthew's Gospel is a 
paradox, gi\ ing us pain hut also giving 
us hope, E\'en with our doubts, am j 
jesus Christ is still lord of all. I 1 

Rwui Alilgriin is paalor of First Mfiiiioiulc 
Clnirch in Indianaputis. hid. 



.April l'^9b Messenger 15 



by Paul Grout 

The Roman Catholic iradition 
depicts lesus' \\ali< to the 
cross, crucifixion, and death 
through 14 "Stations of the Cross." 

1 haw interpreted lesus' walk — a 
message o( sahation — through I 7 
painting-constructions titled "Stations 
of the Resurrection." 

For the past two \ears this journey of 
lesus through death to life has occupied 
much of my thinking and time. It has 
been a season of revelation. The Old 
and New Testaments came newly ali\e. 
F.very chapter, nearly every %erse. began 
to speak in relation to lesus' journey. 

Beginning with lesus setting his face 
to go to lerusalem. the depictions con- 
tinue from the time he enters lerusalem 
through his death, resurrection, and 
ascension. There is a message at each 
stage of Christ's final walk, which come 
together to form a whole. 

The journes of lesus into lerusalem 
ultimately was toward life, not death. 
Resurrection awaited lesus following his 
physical death on the cross. Spiritual 
death is the state of separation from God. 
It is the condition humanity maintains by 
going its own way over and against God. 
It is this death, this separation, that lesus 
is ultimateK about reversing. 

To understand what life is. how life is 
to be found and lived, we must see both 
the final result of Christ's journey and 
resurrection, along with the life-giving 
journey itself. 

lesus faced death every step of the 
way. A battle was being waged for his 
loyalty, his devotion, and his soul. In 
choosing God's way. lesus chose life. 

Today, the wide way is idealized over 
and against the narrow way. The way of 
Christ, if considered at all. is made rela- 
tive to the way we choose. We pick out 
convenient pieces of scripture to affirm 
our personal journey. We echo with our 
culture the politically correct words of 
Pilate: "What is truth?" 

We have lost sight of the battle for 
our souls. We have succumbed to the 

16 Messenger April 1996 




Stations of the 



dark forces that not only rob us of life, 
but blind us even of its possibility. 

This journey of lesus exposes us to 
our blindness, our self-absorption, our 
sin-sickness, and death. It is my hope 
that these "stations" can in some way 
turn us again to jesus, to the way of 
lesus. the choices of lesus. and the bat- 
tle that lesus engaged in to find life. 

"lesus said lo him. I iiiii ilie ]vay. 
and the iruili. and the life. So one 
comes to the Father e.wept throii^li 
me.'" joltit 14:6 

This way of lesus has consumed me. 
It has related to every aspect of my life. 
As the blindness, shallowness, and self- 
absorption of those around lesus was 
exposed. I became exposed. I rediscov- 
ered how much lesus is asking for and. 
at the same time, how much he gives. It 
began as the illumination of a system, a 
way of living. It became for me '^ 
the illutnination of life itself. 

Paul Groin is pastor of Genesis Ciunvl: of 
ilie Bretltren. Putney. \'t. His "Stations of 
lite Resurrection" exhibit was featured in a 
Lenten season exiiibit at Elizabethtomi 
College. Elizahethtown. Pa., from Felvuaiy 
21 through .April 5. 





He set his face 

"Wlien the days drew near for him to be taken up, lie 
set his face to go to Jerusalem. " Luke 9:51 

lesus knew that suffering and death awaited him 
in lerusalem. He could see ahead to death, and 
beyond to life: 

"From that time on. Jesus began to show his disci 
pies that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great 
suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests 
and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be 
raised." Matt. 16:21 

This. then, was a journey for |esus that 
ultimately led toward life, not death. )esus is 
on a journey on behalf of humanity to 
restore us to the relationship God 



lesurrection 



Two basins 

"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things 
into his hands, and that he had come from God 
and was going to God. got up from the table, took 
off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself 
Then he poured water into a basin and began to 
wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the 
towel that was tied around him. " John 13:3-5 

lesus' action is in diametric contrast with what 
Pilate does at lesus' trial. Pilate knows that [esus is 
innocent, but fears the crowd and surrenders to 
their will. He abdicates responsibility for his 
actions, washing his hands in public. 



Peter denies Jesus 

After supper. lesus tells Peter that he will deny 
him three times before the night is out and the 
cock crows. 

Arriving outside of where lesus is being interro- 
gated. Peter is accused of being a follower of lesus. 
Three times he denies. Peter thinks he is lying and 
means to lie. but he is telling the truth: at this point 
he does not know |esus. 

Peter's delusion of his strength and personal 
power is broken. The realization is both tragic and 
hopeful. For Peter, and for us all, this breaking can 
lead to a new beginning. 




.'\pril IIQb Messenger 17 





The crucifixion 

"When ilwy caiiw to the place ihcil is called The 
Skull, they crucijled Jesus there with the criminals, 
line (III his right and one on his left. Then Jesus 
said, "lather, forgive iheiu: for they do not kno)v 
what they are doing. " Luke 23:33-^4 

IcMis became the Passover lamb whose blood 
is shed tor the forgiveness of our sins. We now can 
journey to the proinised land. 



The scourging 

Alter he was condemned to death, the soldiers took 
lesus and beat him. 

"I'hey stripped him and put a .scarlet robe on 
him. and after twisting some thorns into a crown, 
they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right 
hand and knelt before him and mocked him. saying. 
"Hail. Kingof the Jews!" Matt. 27:28-29 

lesus was tortured. lallen humanity is capable 
ol incredible inhumanity. 



18 Messenger April l^Qb 



Mary, mother ot Jesus 

"Then Maiy said. Here am I. the seiraiU of the 
Lord: let it be with me according to your word. ' 
Then tlie angel departed from Iter " Luke 1:38 

Mary, faced with a decision that will open her 
to disgrace, surrenders control to God. Through 
her obedience, the fruit of her womb comes into 
the world. 





Resurrection 

"Wliy do you look for the li\ing among the dead'^ 
He is not here, but has risen. " Luke 24:5 

Jesus the Christ has passed through old 
Jerusalem to the New lerusalem. The resurrected 
Christ reigns. 

".And the city has no need of sun or moon to 
shine on it. for the glory of God is its liglit. and its 
lamp is the Lamb." Rev. 21:23 

"■\nd the one who ]vas seated on the throne said. 
"See. I am making all things new." Rev. 21:5 



.April IQQb Messenger 19 





Angels 



liL'ii 1 was a Urst-ycar 
student at Bctliany 
Seminary back in the 
'bOs. I sang in the seminary choir. 
One morning during rehearsal, a 
member ot the ciioir raised his 
liand. "I can't sing this anthem." 
he told the ciuiir director. When 
the choir director asked why. he 
answered. "Because ol the words. 
Tliere's all this stuH about angels. 
I just don't believe in angels, if 
the rest of you want to sing it. 
line. But I'd be a hypocrite if I 
sang it with you." 

1 don't remember what the 
choir director said, and 1 don't 
c\eii remember it we e\er sang 
that anthem, but I do remember 
that many ol us in the choir 
agreed with the one who object- 
ed. 1 certainly had ne\cr seen 
an angel, nor did 1 know any- 
body who had. We figured that 
angels were simply relics of a 
bygone belief system. The 
human race, we thought, had 
outgrown angels. 

Boy. were we wrong! .Angels 
are back, big-time. .At least 
they're back in the popular imag- 
ination. .Angelic figurines and 
designs are hot items in gift 
shops. Books about angels are all 
the rage: some of them have 
enjoyed extended runs on tlie 
.Vt'ii' )urk Times best seller list. 
Their success has spawned a 
whole angel industry of books, calen- 
dars, and newsletters. One of the TV 
networks carried a two-hour special 
on angels. Time and Xewsweek ran 
major articles about angels and report 
ed that not only do a majority of 
.Americans believe in angels, but manv 

20 Messenger April lQi?b 




They're 
everywhere 

by Kenneth L. Gibble 

Angels are back, big- time. 
Angelic figurines and designs 

are hot items in gift shops. 

Books about angels are all 

the rage. Just who are these 
heavenly beings called angels? 



people feel they have encountered one. 

Angels — these days they're every- 
where. Who are these heavenlv beings 
called angels? 

Belief in angels was common at the 
time the Bible was written. Angels 
could be found in manv different reli- 



gions, not just in ludaism and 
Christianity. 

But belief in angels suffered a 
setback with the coming of the 
Enlightenment, that period in 
1 Sth century Europe when 
human reason came to the fore- 
Iront. Science and technology 
began to shape people's thinking 
about how the world works. That 
didn't leave much room for 
things like angels. 

What about the angels that 
people claim to be meeting these 
days? Most current accounts o( 
angel encounters include stories 
of rescue from difficulty or dan- 
ger. These angels offer a nurtur- 
ing presence characterized by 
warmth aiul light. They demand 
no repentance or conversion. 
Ohen they call attention only to 
themselves, with no reference 
to God. 

All of this marks a radical 
departure from angels we meet in 
the Bible. The word "angel" is 
the translation of a Hebrew word 
meaning "messenger." In biblical 
writings. God uses angels to con- 
vey the div ine word to humans 
and to carry out appointed tasks. 
The writers of scripture gave 
much more attention to what 
angels do than to what they 
look like. 

For example, there is only one 
allusion to angels having wings, 
in Daniel 9:21. In the Bible we hear 
what angels say and we see what they 
do. but we are never really told much 
about them. 

What the Bible makes absolutely 
clear about angels is that they are sub- 
ordinate to God. Thev do not exist on 



their own; they do not scoot off to 
earth on self-appointed missions of 
mercy or protection. And the most fre- 
quent human reaction to the appear- 
ance of an angel is terror. 

Do you remember how Luke 
describes the experience of the shep- 
herds? My favorite translation is the 
familiar King lames Version: 

Ami there were in the same 
country shepherds abiding in the 
field, keeping watch over their 
flock by night. .And. lo. the angel 
of the Lord came upon them, 
and the glory of the Lord shone 
round about them: and they were 
sore afraid. 

"Sore afraid" because an encounter 
with one of God's angels is enough to 
set any sensible person's teeth to chat- 
tering. And so the first thing the angel 
says to the shepherds is "Fear not." 

Yet, even though the first reaction to 
biblical angels is often great fear, their 
purpose is not to terrify. They are sent 
by God to announce God's intentions. 

In the Bible, angels also provide pro- 
tection. On the wall of my parents' 
kitchen hung a picture that captured 
my childhood attention. It depicted 
two children — a boy and a girl — alone 
in a dark forest. They are walking over 
a rickety bridge spanning a deep 
ravine. It's an altogether scary picture, 
except for an angel dressed in gold 
and white who hovers over the chil- 
dren. It's clear that this is the chil- 
dren's guardian angel. The angel will 
make sure no harm befalls them. 

How does this popular concept of a 
guardian angel square with what we 
read in the Bible? Well, there are only 
two references in scripture to angels 
assigned to protect individuals, in con- 



r m>y:^ > 



Should the popular 
interest in angels 

these days be cause 
for rejoicing or 

cause for concern? 



trast to more than 500 references to 
other ministries that angels carry out. 
"Guardian angels" are more products 
of popular religious imagination than 
of biblical record. 

So where does all this leave us? 
Should the popular interest in 
angels these days be cause for 
rejoicing or cause for concern? 

It's cause for rejoicing if angels 
remind people that a purely secular, 
scientific view of the world is inade- 
quate. We have been created with a 
need for resources that go beyond 
what the human mind can explain. No 
doubt the increased interest in angels 
demonstrates the longing of the 
human spirit for transcendence, for a 
spiritual dimension. 

But interest in angels is cause for 
concern if we concentrate too much on 
them. The writer of the Epistle to the 
Hebrews apparently thought that some 
members of the church were paying 



more attention to angels than to Christ, 
perhaps even worshiping them. In the 
opening verses of that book, the writer 
makes it clear that angels have inferior 
status to Christ. It is Christ, the writer 
insists, who commands the worship of 
angels, not vice versa. 

And the writer of Hebrews also pro- 
vides another helpful word of counsel 
about angels. 

In the final chapter of that book, the 
faithful are urged to remember those 
who are in prison and those who are 
ill-treated. Verse 2 reads; "Do not 
neglect to show hospitality to strang- 
ers, for by doing that some have enter- 
tained angels without knowing it." 

That idea of how angels come to us 
doesn't have much in common with 
current-day stories of angel encoun- 
ters. Who would suspect that in doing 
a kindness to a stranger, we are meet- 
ing an angel? Modern accounts of 
angels usually have the angels doing 
something good for the person visited. 
Hebrews tells us that by showing hos- 
pitality to strangers, we can do some- 
thing good for the angels. 

So, do you believe in angels? There's 
no reason not to believe in them. But 
there are lots of reasons not to give too 
much attention to them. .\ hymn writer 
prayed, "I ask no dream, no prophet's 
ecstasies ... no angel visitant, no open- 
ing skies " Whether or not that is 

your prayer, surely you can join with 
that same hymn writer in praying; 
"Teach me to love thee as thine angels 
love." That is undoubtedly a better 
prayer than "send me an angel." 

The angels love God b\' praising 
God and serving God. We can 



\M. 



pray to love God the same way. 

Keiinelli L. Gibble is paslvr of CIniinbcrshurg 
(Pa.) Church of the Brethren. 



.April 1996 Messenger 21 



No one is beyonc 




The trial attracted the media for 

two reasons. One was the 

251 -year sentence, but an even 

more intriguing reason was the 

statements from the victims of the 

crime. The statements were of a 

nature that are seldom heard in the 

courts of law, and the surprise of 

the listeners was obvious. 

by Patricia Kennedy Helman 

M he phrase "No one is beyond redemption was head- 
I lined on the front page ol tiie liulianajxilis Star on 
^^^ December 14, 1995. Under the headline, which had 
a theological ring to it. was a picture of a middle-aged cou- 
ple standing in front of an exquisite Victorian home, com- 
plete with a dramatic turret that stood out boldly against the 
winter sky. They had been photographed at the end of a trial 
that brought to a close, legally speaking, eight hours of ter- 
ror that would color the rest of their lives. 

The perpetrator of the nightmare was given the longest 
sentence that the experienced prosecutor had ever witnessed. 
The trial attracted the media for two reasons. One was the 
length of the sentence, but an even more intriguing reason 
were the statements with which the victims brought closure 
to a story that began on Friday afternoon, |une 10, 1994. 
The statements were of a nature that are seldom heard in the 
courts of law, and the surprise of the listeners was obvious. 

It was a very special time for Peter Michael, a grant 
writer for Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He and his 
fiancee, Donna Barr, an interior designer, were just two 
weeks away from their wedding day. Peter was working 
alone that day, readying the house where the couple hoped 
to spend their lives. 



22 Messenger April IQQb 



redemption 



The doorbell rang. A man Peter knew only as lerry was at 
the door and asked to use the bathroom. Peter hesitated a 
moment, and lerry pushed the door open farther and entered 
the house, lerry had once been hired by Peter to do some 
work on the house and yard after it had come to Peter's 
attention that lerry was desperate, with no money for food or 
rent. Peter also helped lerry get an apartment, and loaned him 
tools when he found a job. Coming out of the bathroom, lerry 
brandished a handgun, initiating what would become a long 
and tortuous ordeal for Peter, and for Donna, who would 
arrive at the home soon thereafter. 

One of the tortuous elements in this appalling situation 
was the slow way in which lerry worked, and always with the 
gun in readiness and with death at hand. According to the 
Star, the victims were bound and untied several times, first 
with rope and later with wire. Twice they were driven to a bank 
drive-through window where Peter was foiced to cash a S500 
check. Another trip was made for more money, this time to 
another bank. And again, Peter and Donna were held hostage, 
under the threat of death if any false move was made. 

Upon returning to the house, the situation worsened. 
Once again, lerry bound the couple tightly and put duct 
tape over their eyes and mouths, resulting in excruciating 
pain, lerry held the gun to Donna's side and threatened 
again to kill her. Instead he fired the gun at his reluctant 
host, barely missing Peter's head. The Star article brings this 
part of the story to a close: "Then lerry tells them he's going 
to burn the house down, using gasoline, and he tells them to 
say their last prayer. And as they are saying the Lord's 
Prayer, he pours a liquid over them. They are just waiting 
for the match." 

Instead, lerry cut Donna free and took her into an 
upstairs bedroom. The end came when Donna managed to 
escape from |erry, and ran down the stairs and into the 
night, screaming for help. By God's grace, help was nearby, 
as a patrol car rounded the street corner and the policemen 
heard her cries. Within minutes other patrol cars arrived: an 
hour later, Peter managed to free himself and jumped from 
the third floor into the yard. The harrowing experience had 
lasted over eight hours, followed by emergency room treat- 
ment for both victims. Two weeks after their ordeal, while 
the enormity of it all was still stark in their memories. Peter 
and Donna were married. 

jerry had succumbed to the numbing effects of alcohol, 
purchased on the outings to the banks. He was found by the 
police in the second story bathroom, asleep in the bathtub. 



The officers took lerry prisoner and he was held in custody in 
Indianapolis until the trial was over. A prolonged wait of 18 
months followed before the wheels of justice had done their 
work and the prisoner heard his sentence pronounced. |udge 
William Young found the prisoner guilty of all charges. The 
drastic sentence of 251 years reflected the clear evidence of 
"two kidnappings, two robberies, attempted murder, attempt- 
ed rape, torture (mental and physical), handgun charges, and 
the status of being an habitual offender — having criminal 
records in at least three other states." ludge Young said, "I 
believe the offender was in a position of trust. He had known 
these people and knew they had been sympathetic to him in 
the past, and he took advantage." Peter has often wondered 
why lerry chose him to rob. considering that he had befriend- 
ed lerry when he was in need. 

^^^^ tar staff wiiter George McLaren noted "that most 
a ^k violent-crime victims who come to court for sentenc- 
Wiit^^ ing plead for justice and demand the maximum for 
their assailant. Sometimes they complain even that is not 
enough." He also noted, however, that "Peter M. Michael did 
not fit the mold." The courtroom was quieted by Peter stating, 
"Nobody is beyond redemption, and e\eryone needs love." 

The response from those involved in the proceedings 
was one of sheer surprise — some weren't certain they had 
heard correctly. Peter also said he might go to prison and 
visit lerry. or they might occasionally send care packages to 
the one who violently attacked them. Peter made it a point 
to inform the court of what he knew about lerry: As a child, 
lerry suffered under the rule of an abusive stepfather. As a 
child, lerry stuttered and was constantly made fun of in 
such a way that the building of self-esteem was almost 
impossible. As a child, lerry had never known the kind of 
love and care and direction that Peter and Donna had both 
known through their parents' concern for their well-being. 

In a tearful statement. Donna acknowledged that life 
would never be the same again. She also expressed the hope 
that no one else would ever face such torture and suffering. 
She said. "1, too, feel blessed to have been a part of such a 
caring and responsible family. Wlnile 1 condemn lerry's 
actions, I am reluctant to censure lerry as a person. I agree 
wholeheartedly with Peter that we need to teach those who 
know nothing of God's lo\'e and to do all we can to assist in 
building His kingdom in e\ery part of the world." 
In the articles's final paragraph, George McLaren noted, 

April I'-Wb Messenger 23 



From I lie (iciicral km\m 



Something to celebrate 

Brethren often are bettei' ;it enuinerating ouf weaknesses than in eclebrating 
our blessings. E%en so. it niiglit be well to pause tor a moment and count 
our blessings. 

! am reminded ol i'aul's letter to the I'hiiippians. Though written from a 
Roman prison, the letter is lull of joy. He opens the letter by saying that he 
constantly prays for them with joN (1 :3). He rejoices that Christ is preached, 
whether for the wrong or right reason (1:18). He suggests that even in our 
difficulties we are to rejoice without murmuring or arguing (2: 14. 17-18). 

Foremost for Brethren celebration is the abiding faith of so many in the 
saving power and living Spirit of the Lord Icsus Christ. This is evident all 
across the church, from the smallest to the largest congregation, from the 
least known to the best known individual, from the occasional volunteer to 
the full-time staff member. One is humbled and inspired by the deep and 
abiding faithfulness o\' so many. 

We can also celebrate the strong sense of family among us in our Annual 
Conference, our congregations, and all our gatherings. 

We can celebrate the growing youth movement in the church. The youth 
themselves speak of it as a tidal wave about to wash over the church. Some 
bOO youth are signed up for workcamps this summer and BVS constantly 
has a hundred or more young adults serving throughout the world to 
Christ's way of peace, places such as Bosnia. Ireland, and the Middle East. 

We can celebrate the older adult movement in the church. The National 
Older Adult Conference this fall promises to be a feast of fellowship and 
worship. 

Brethren support of disaster response is worth celebrating. Annual contribu- 
tions have grown to nearly a million dollars. Dozens of congregations prepare 
throughout the year for annual auctions. Hundreds of Brethren regularly go to 
disaster sites to help clean up, reconstruct, care for children, and care for the 
grieving. Our support for Church World Service is far beyond our size. 

Our seminary is regaining its strength. Our six colleges are strong. 
Brethren retirement homes recently received a national citation for quality. 
Our pension and insurance plans are outstanding. 

The new Brethren hymnal is widely celebrated within and beyond the 
church. The jubilee curriculum is enthusiastically received and is used by 
two-thirds of our churches. 

Many Brethren are engaged in a witness for peace and justice, of which 
On Earth Peace Assembly, the Ministry of Reconciliation, and the work in 
the Sudan are only beginning examples. 

EYN in Nigeria continues its remarkable witness to Christ's love. There is 
a new sense of evangelism to which The Andrew Center contributes. The 
stewardship of our people has continued at a strong level. 

In all these things our people are sustained by the saving power and living 
spirit of the Lord |esus Christ. We have our problems to address, but let us 
remember to pause long enough to rejoice in the Lord always. — Donald E. 

MlLI.t'R 

Ihiuald E. Miller is general seerelary of the Church of ihe Hrellireih 



"lerry's brutality could easily cause 
some people to lose their faith in 
humanity, to turn bitter and hateful. 
But Peter and Donna expressed con- 
cern, not condemnation." Prosecutor 



Suzanne 0'Malle\ said. "1 hey are 
obviously not typical ol our normal \ic- 
tims. Peter's background and upbring- 
ing is very charitable." O'Malley. who 
was struck by the cou|")le's unique per- 



s|iecti\e. added, "They are very com- 
]iassionate people. In a way. I would be 
surprised that peo]ile would he forgi\ - 
ing and compassi(.)nate. Bui I think 
they ti'uly are." 

The interesting lesponses of the 
judge, the prosecutor, and the Star staff 
writer all are relatetl to the climate of 
the culture in America. It is dilfieult to 
assess how much the mei.lia d(.)minate 
our lives, olten in e\tremel> negative 
ways. There is a palpable fear concern- 
ing the ]"iresence of strangers at our 
d(.K)rs. People are surprised to actually 
experience compassion and concern, 
lor most of what creates the news has 
to do with violence, competition, 
money, and mayhem of various sorts. 

Peter noted that ihey were pleased to 
have both the hulidnuptilis Slur and 
the liulianupulis Nors publish their 
"No one is beyonel redemption" mes- 
sage. "However." he said, "we are sad 
that even though there are many peo- 
ple in this nation who profess to be 
Chi'istians, our response was seen as 
so unusual that it warranted a front- 
page story with a full -color photo- 
graph. We like to think it was a slow 
news day and actually people are not 
surprised when Christians respond 
with mercy and forgiveness." 

The Michaels are members of 
Northview Church of the Brethren in 
Indianapolis. Both of them have 
church histories that stretch back into 
the Brethren archives. What happened 
at the end of the trial was related to 
their lives as Christians in the Church 
ol the Brethren. It also was related to 
the sense both o( them had concerning 
a privileged life with |iareiits who had 
created loving homes and lor whom 
their faith was central in the rearing ol 
theii- children. They were fortified in 
the early days following the ordeal by 
the How of responses fre)m a caring 
CL'mmunity. One of Donna's clients, 
sjieaking of their courage and kind- 
ness remarked. "What a way to walk 
your faith!" 

Said Peter, "It is hard to attend a 
Christian worship service or a Sunday 
School class without hearing multiple 
references to being forgiven and for- 
giving others. At the sentencing a year 
and a half alter the ordeal, we were 



24 Messenger April IQOb 



still debating about the concept of for- 
giveness, lesus forgave his persecutors 
while he was still on the cross." 

At a recent Sunday service, Donna 
and Peter were moved by the hymn, 
"Strong, righteous man of Galilee." 
The following stanza seemed to speak 
directly to them: 

Calm, suffering man of Galilee. 
Clad in Thy grace we follow thee: 
Loi'e at the well, share Martha's loss. 
Forgive the nails, and take the cross. 
Clad in Thy grace we follow Thee. 
Calm, suffering man of Galilee. 

The word "redemption" does not 
often make it into headline news in 
America. In this special season, when 
the earth turns green, when new life 
appears abundantly and beautifully, 
when the glorious hymns of Christ- 
endom are being sung, when forgive- 
ness of sin is offered to all, the cross is 
our central motif. How fitting that this 
story be told, in their concern for the 
one who persecuted them, they were 
quick to note how painful and shabby 
the life of lerry had been. A quotation 
from Pascal seems lighted by truth. He 
said, "Drink too deeply of the cup of 
sin, and you shall find goodness star- 
ing at you. Drink too deeply of the cup 
of goodness, and you shall find sin 
staring in your face." 

I think of that admonition at this 
time, when we must all go to the cross 
and confess our sins. It is a wilderness 
time, inviting us to face our own souls 
and note that "perfection attends no 
one." It becomes a time of forgiving 
and being forgiven, of blessing and 
being blessed. For through the story of 
Jesus' death, and his willingness to 
take on the sins of the world, we are 
all recipients of that gracious truth 
exemplified on the cross: "No I i7~ 
one is beyond redemption!" i ' 

Patricia Kennedy Helinan. a member of 
Lincolnshire Clnirch of tlie Brethren. Fort Wayne. 
liuL. ix an ordained minister and a writer 

Peter Michael was born in Garkida. Nigeria, 
the son of Herbert and Marianne Michael, mis- 
sionaries in .Africa. He is a graduate of Man- 
chester College. Bethany Seininaiy. and Indiana 
University. Donna Michael is the daughter of 
Francis and Evelyn Burr of Fort Wayne. Indiana. 
She is a graduate of Purdue University and has 
her own interior design business. 



F 



s 



The Language of God 

' roin generation to generation, the Word of God never 
changes. But the words we use do change, so people of 
faith gather together in councils to develop translations that 
share the power of God with our children. N^^/ 

The New Revised Standard Version is vour Bihie, developed by scholars 
from your denomination through your Council of Churches. 

The Bible Fund is a part of the National Council of the Churches of 
Christ that seeks to support the development and use of standard Bible 
translations. 

We ensure Bible translations and study tools unaffected by commercial 
pressures. We can help you and your congregation 
grow closer to sciipture. 

1-800-541-2425 

l)r Bill Levennj:;, Direciiir 

R(wni91S • -i'^S Riverside Dnve • .New York, NT HHIS-OOSO 





i 

(^Ontlntics... 



Students prepare for a new 
stadium in the '50s. 



McPherson 
College 

McPherson 

Kansas 

316 241 0731 




Students build for Habitat for Humanity in the '90s. 



.'\pril 1 99b Messenger 25 



IS 



On the New Testament as our creei 



Dcuii Cninvii 

I, too, carry a 
Brethren's Card 

I appreciated .seeing the lirethrcn's 
Can.! ajipear once again in Ml ssixi.iK 
(Septeniber l'-')'-15. jiagc tour). It might 
be a good idea to print tiie caixi at least 
once a \ear since there are many people 
who ha\e not even heard ot this hriel 
statement ol basic Hrethren beliels. 1 
happen to be a card-carrying Brethren. 

The card was printed in the 1*^2') 
conference minutes, not because it was 
adopted as a position paper, but 
because it was re\ ised for distribution 
as an accurate summary of Brethren 
beliefs and practices. The card was 
printed in the M2i. 1Q40. and KMb 
pastor's manuals as an aid to help 
instruct new members. It would be a 
good idea to expect L>ur pastors to 
teach these traditional \alues yet 
today. 1 ha\e found at lea,st 1 2 congre- 
gations (h'om fi\e districts) that ha\e 
printed this doctrinal statement o\er 
the past few years in their local church 
directories. 

While some of the statements on the 
card are basic evangelical beliefs of 
orthodox Christianity, other state- 
ments are intluenced by ."Xnabaptist 
Pietist practices, a study of the early 
Christians, and a literal interpretation 
of the New Testament. These state- 
ments are matters of principle rather 
than matters of method. While meth- 
ods ma\ \ar\ trom one congregation 

To hold ill rcfpcci and fellou'ship those in the 
chiireh nilh whom we agree or disagree is a 
eharaeieristie of the Clmreh of the Brethren It 
is to the eontinuation of this valtie. and to ait 
open and probing forum, that "Opinions" are 
invited from readers. 

We do not aekno\eledge our reeeipt of ohvi- 
Otis "Opinions" pieees. and ean print only a 
sampling of what we reeeive. All "Opinions" 
are edited for ptdilieation- 

26 Messenger .-Xpril 1W6 



to another, or h'om one period ol his- 
tory to another, principles are timeless 
and slu)uld not be subject to endless 
revisions or eliminatii.>n. ^es. we 
should be open to new truth, but that 
does not necessarilv mean that "old" 
truth has to be discarded in tavor of 
the latest theological fad. .'Xs a matter 
of fact, our creed — the New Testa- 
ment — admonishes us to avoid super- 
ficial faddishness. "Truth" should have 
a certain perennial quality about it. or 
else it is "falsehood." 

Any doctrinal description of the 
l^rethren should not be used to set a 
limit to our faith. Our creed has 2bO 
chapters in it. but keep in mind that 
not all are referenced in the card. 

Maintaining the New Testament as 
our creed, however, does not forbid us 
from stating what we understand our 
creed to say. There is nothing wrong 
with the statement: "We believe in 
feetwashing." for example. Neither is 
there anvthing wrong with stating that 
lesus Christ is the Son of dod and 
that he brought from heaven a saving 
Gospel. .Anything that we state should 
be subject to our creed. Some of 
.Alexander Mack's writing consists of 
doctrinal explanatii.in i.if Scripture. 

"V'ou would think that after nearly 
500 years of studving the New 
Testament together that we would 
come to grips with at least some of the 
things it teaches. It does little good to 
just sit around studying it if we never 
draw any conclusions about what we 
study. Rather than being closed to new 
truth, we should have a willingness to 
graduate to a new level from time to 
time. Being settled on some of the 
things that our creed teaches rules out 
a state of constant confusion. 

Let us remember that God has not 
left us on our own. He has given us 
His Spirit and also the written Word. 
It seems that even the evangelical seg- 
ment of the church often goes after 
what is more palatable, instead of what 
is scriptural. Perhaps it would do well 



for us to someday have an Annual 
Conference with the primary business 
consisting of studying the New AA i 

Testament. ' --J 

Dean Oarrett is pastor of I'leasant Xdlky 
Chiireh of the lirethren. near Lnion City. Ohio. 
and free minister \fith I'riiitfid X'iite House 
I'roieet. West \le.\aiiilriti. Ohio. 



I a 1 1 Onidorff 

A war memorial 
adorns my wall 

My favorite vwir memorial hangs mat- 
ted and framed on mv living room 
wall. (See October Editorial, "Going 
to grieve, not to gloat.") 

Between my junior and senior years 
of high school, I spent 1 weeks as an 
exchange student in Germanv . There I 
was struck by the C'lerman wav of dis- 
cussing history. pAcrything was refer- 
enced bv its relationship to "the war." 

The example of the war's destruction 
that moved me the most was a place 
along the Berlin Wall. Mv host father 
pointed it out to me, saving, "The 
house I grew up in was on this street. 
It survived the war. but was leveled by 
the Russians when they built the wall." 

My host father was one of the most 
intelligent, earing, and compassionate 
people I have ever met. He had served 
in Hitler's army. He had not wanted 
to. but felt that there was no choice. 
The incongruity of this gentle man 
killing people shocked me. 

Furthermore, while the German peo- 
ple as a whole impressed me as having 
the same mix of heroes and villains as 
we Americans. I had a deep sense of 
tragedy as I realized that manv of the 
truly good German men I met were 
World War II veterans who had tried 
to kill American soldiers, some of 
whom I also know and respect. 

The reverse also was true. I spent 



lemorials of war 



many hours struggling with the impli- 
cations of war and strengthening the 
practical side of what, to that point, 
simply had been a theological peace 
position. 

.As I was leaving Germany, many 
people gave me farewell gifts. One 
woman brought me a portfolio of 
watercolor paintings done by her hus- 
band before his death in World War II. 
She asked me to choose the one I 
wanted. 1 took my time, because I 
wanted a memento that captured the 
totality of both the positive and the 
thought-provoking aspects of my 
e.xperience. I chose a picture of an old- 
fashioned German street. The half- 
timber houses were painted with bright 
colors, and the street was orderly and 
well-kept in the German way. The 
feeling evoked by the painting was that 
of cheerfulness, welcome, and peace. 
The title was "Der Flohwirkel 1943 
zerstort" ("Flohwirkel Street. De- 
stroyed in 1945"). 

That's my favorite war memorial, 
hanging matted and framed on Ji 
my living room wall. 

/(/;; Onidorff is a member of\'atle\' Pike 
CImrch of llie Brethren in Manrertomi. \'a. 



' Don Hess 

They're about 
; people, not war 

j As a Brethren veteran who attended 
the dedication of the Korean War 
Veterans Memorial. I did not see nor 
do I know any veterans who visit a 
memorial to gloat (See October 
Editorial). Rather, veterans I know go 
to those memorials to grieve the loss 
of friends and comrades just as the 
editor grieved for his great-great 
grandfather. We do not see them as 
monuments or glorifiers of wars. I 
would hope people could see them as 



memorials to veterans. 

The Korean War Veterans Memorial 
(not the Korean War Memorial as it 
was described) is totally focused on 
honoring Korean War veterans. What 
was described as a "macho bunch of 
warriors slogging their way through a 
muddy battlefield — a tribute to mili- 
tary action." I see as cold, weary sol- 
diers, clad in foul-weather ponchos, 
suffering from the trauma and emo- 
tions of front line service in war. I see 
faces showing features of Caucasian. 
African-American, Asian. Hispanic, 
and American Indian. I see the 
inscription. "Lest we forget — the dead, 
the missing, the captured, the wound- 
ed. Freedom is Not Free." What I did 
not see was any mention of this 
inscription in the editorial. 

As to the difference between the 
Korean War Veterans Memorial and 
other memorials, they should be differ- 
ent. They should symbolize the events 
or circumstances unique to that period 
of time, as the Korean War Veterans 
Memorial and the Vietnam War 
Veterans Memorial capture so well. 
Veterans don't perceive all memorials 
as symbols of war. They perceive them 
as symbols of the faces of those whom 
they served with — some who came 
home, some who did not, and some 
who were captured. 1 see the Korean 
War Veterans Memorial as a memorial 
of faces which complements a memor- 
ial of names for Vietnam veterans. 

I have spent many years working 
with Veterans for Peace and other 
forums in opening and maintaining 
dialog between conscientious objectors 
and veterans. I am saddened by such 
provocative words as "a macho bunch 
of warriors." "chest thumpers." and 
"glorifiers of war" to characterize those 
with a different viewpoint. They weren't 
necessary to support the position 
against the proliferation ot memo- J/t 
rials to veterans (not to wars). 

Pun //t'.'-.v i.v i; member ol Oaktim Chureli o/ 
:lie Brethren in \ ietma. \ii. 




Messenger is available 
on tape for persons who 
are visually impaired. 
Each double-cassette 
issue contains all articles, 
letters, and the editorial. 

MESSENGER-on-Tape is a 

service of volunteers for 
the Church and Persons 
with Disabilities Network 
(CPDN), a task group of 
the Association of Breth- 
ren Caregivers (ABC). 

Recommended donation 
is $10 (if you return the 
tapes to be recycled) or 
$25 (if you prefer to keep 
the tapes). 

To sign up for yourself, a 
family member, or friend, 
send name, address, and 
phone number of person 
who will receive the 
tapes, along with a check 
made payable to ABC to: 

Association 
of Brethren Caregivers 
1451 Dundee Avenue 
Elgin, IL 60120 



April UVXi Moseiigcr 27 



J'ltlTS 



Key to 21st century 

l^eading alx)ul tlic adoption h\ Annual 
Ci.intcrciiCL' ot a ci'ccdal slatcmcnl 
about the iialufc ol Icsus (August, 
jiagc 14) reminded me ol a shipboard 
encounter 40 years ago. 

On m\ \\a\ to Nigeria as a mission- 
ary doctor. 1 became acquainted witii 
a I'rench-t'anadian Roman Catholic 



The oi>iiiions c.xpivssdi in Lcncr:> jiv u<>i ihwssdrilv 
ith'Si' ol ihc iiiiiiitiziuc. Ki'iklcrs should ivci.'iiv 
ilu'in in the same spirit with which diffcriiifi opin- 
i^>tls iirc expressed in Uiee-io-face eonwrsalioiis 

I.etiers should he brief, eoneise. and respect fid of 
the opinions of others. I'reference is iiieen to letters 
that respond directly to items read in the inafiazine. 

We are willinii to )eiihhold the name of a writer 
only when, in our editorial judgment, it is iwir- 
ranied. We will not dmsider any letter that comes 
to us unsii;iied W hcihcr or not we print the letter 
the writer's name is kept in strictest confidence 

Address letters to \ll ssi M.l K editor 14^1 
Dundee.Are.. Eluin. II. M120. 



liriest iieaded lor iTance. In our last 
ci.>n\ersalicin belore he disembai'ked. I 
saitl. "I'crhaps we will woiship togeth- 
er someday." The jiriesi. altei' a 
pause, replietl. "Yes. when \ou belie\e 
as we do." 

That ended our Iriemlship aiul our 
con\ersation. lie lelt cloaked in his 
sense ol religious siiperi(.)rit\ ; I lelt in 
ama/.ement and anger. 

The adoption ol creedal state- 
ments — litmus tests for correctness 
of belicl — results in a narrowing of 
viewpoint and an impediment to our 
abilitx to cooperate with other people. 

larly astronauts circling the moon 
looked back and saw the planet Earth 
amid the myriad stars. In the \astness 
of space. Harth alone was their home. 
and it alone is the home to ail human- 
kind and e\ery known living thing. 

L'liderstanding this must be a water- 
shed e\'ent for all religions. Religious 
thought, pronouncements, and aeti\it\ 



must now recognize that our sur\ i\al 
and that of futme generations depeiul 
on li\ ing and eoo|ierating with our 
neighbors in the stewardship of the 
earth. We must shed the religious con- 
cept of "chosen people." which rele- 
gates others to a lesser stature and 
destroys cooperation. 

To enter the 2 1 si eentur\- effectively, 
the Church o\ the Biethren must de- 
\elop and adopt paradigms that recog- 
ni/.e the mutual interdependence of 
Earth's peojile. 

\hir\iit /.. Blmifih 
.\tiiiil\i. Idaho 



Behold that star 

I ha\e read many explanations for the 
star of Bethlehem (December 1Q05. 
page 27). My lather. Edward Kintner, 
led me to an understanding ol w hat 
the "star" miiiht ha\e been — the 



(( 



When someone seems different, 
how can I affirm kinship?" 

Steve and Denise (Shivcly) Rickleff '69 work with lower-income, 
inner-city children in the Indianapohs Pubhc Schools. A social 
worker, Steve juggles counseling and monitoring duties. Denise, a 
psychologist, tests, counsels, and mentors. Recognizing diversity 
as an opportunity not a barrier, both are committed to peer 
mediation. They diffuse anger, give validity to feelings, and tap 
potential, believing peaceful resolution is a lifestyle rather than 
merely a philosophy. 



Students know Manchester College for the questions we pose. 
And for the help we give them in finding answers. 




Manchester College 



Call (219) 982-5000 to receive more information on Manchester programs or stewardship opportunities, to refer 
prospective students, or let us know if you are planning a special visit. 



28 Messenger .April IQ^Ci 



y>- 



^~: Pontius' Puddle 



planet Venus. 

The key to the problem is the fact 
that Venus can be seen in the daytime. 
That fits the scriptural description of 
what the wise men saw. If there was a 
miracle, it was the fact that the wise 
men were traveling at a time when 
Venus was near the earth, when the 
planet can be seen in the daytime with 
the naked eye. It is so positioned every 
year and a half. 

Elgin R Kiiiiiicr 
Marxvillc. Teiiii. 



More hospitality hints 

The February Messenger carried a 
general theme of hospitality through it. 

Before the morning service at my 
church, the pastor moves down the 
aisles speaking to members and look- 
ing for visitors to meet. And during the 
service there is a break for people to 
shake hands and greet one another. In 
this, special emphasis is put on wel- 
coming visitors. As a result, we look 
for visitors before and after the service. 

Pastors especially need to lead in 
showing hospitality. They may be 
meeting new people searching for a 
church home. 

Mt'lriii Hull 
Blooiuiiigiuii. III. 



Valuing God's peace 

My esteem for the Church of the 
Brethren was forcefully strengthened 
after reading "Brethren and the 'Peace 
Process'" by Mervin Keeney (February, 
page 12). Rarely are people who are 
concerned with making peace given 
such an opportunity to analyze the 
Middle East peace process in the light 
of the imbalance that exists between the 
American -Israeli negotiators and those 
representing the Palestinian people. 

Let's hope publications like 
Messenger will continue to help their 
readers avoid simplistic conclusions 
and give the peace process the closer 
look it deserves. I believe Keeney's 




Soticf: St'ihl payment for repriium^ "Ponriius' Puddle" from MESSENGtR 
to loel Kuuffinunn. ! ! I Curler Road. Goslieu. IN -/6526, $25 for one 
June use 5 W for second strip in suiite issue $ 1 for conf^re^utioiis 



MOWAWURD 
THE RfOOESri" 




THriJ MERE'S 
(AV PRAVER H 
WAlJTABSOLOtE 
t:A»AE,fORTOtJe 
Mb POWER.' 




AMD HERE'S 
rAV AMSWER. 
ABSOLOTELV tJOT 




/^ BRETHREN Identity 

110 Year History A\ 

Homeov^ner's /\\ 



Security A\ Personal 

A\ Prompt 



/^ 



Churches... Homes... Farms... Renters 

Insurance Protection 
Exclusively For Brethren 

Call 1-800-255-1243 




Mutual Aid 
Association 
Church of the Brethren 



April MQb Mc,^^cngc^ 29 



The Service and Thnli RelLKalion Ser\ii.e 
will reduce your moving cost at least 42% on 
moves wilhiri the Contine^ntal U S For inlormalion 
and a free eslimaie call I ewis CORD northAmerican 

1-800-873-2673 

etc northAmerican 



jild's 



m Partners 
i^inP^r^gr 

Daily prayer guide: 

Sunday: ^'our congregation's 

ministries 

Monday: .Annual Conference officers 

Tuesday: General Board and staff 

Wednesday: District executives. 

Bethany Seminary, colleges 

and university 
Thursday: General Serxices 

Friday: Parish Ministries 
Saturday: World Ministries 

April prayer concerns: 

Congregation: Powerful Easter worship 
services. Children's ministry programs. 

Conference: Moderator Fred Bernhard 
as he conducts denominational briefings. 

General Board: Staff during the 
current "redesign" process. Redesign 
Steering Committee. Executive 
Committee, and Administrative 
Council, meeting April 19-20. 

Districts and schools: Bible commen- 
tary event at Bethany Seminary. .April 
28-29. Regional youth conferences. 
District executives w^orking on pas- 
toral placements. 

General Services: Brethren Historical 
Library Archives employees. 

Parish Ministries: Christian 
Citizenship Seminar, .April 15-18. 
CoBACE conference. .April 19-21. 

World Ministries: Peace programs. 
Brethren Service Center. 



article goes a long way in rcnecliiig the 
Church o\' the Brethren as truly a 
"Clnii-eh that \alues Ciod's peace in the 
liiilesl and richest sense of that word." 
Rita McGaiighey 
LaCrossc. Wis. 



From the 
Office of Human Resources 

Teachers. Business Education 
and 'Vocal Music, 

Hillcrest School. Nigeria 
This is a special opportunity to teach in a 
K-12 imcrnational Christian school with 
an excellent reputation- 
Administrator/ 

Theological Educator. Sudan 

Theological Education bv 
Extension (TEE) Program. 

For more iitfonnaiioii call Menin Kccncy. 
Africa Middle Faisi Rcprcsenlative 

Office Manager/Store Clerk, On Earth 
Peace .Assembly. New Windsor, Md. 
Responsibilities include; record keeping, 
banking, processing mail, and clerking In 
The Peace Place Resource Center. 
Qualifications: general otfice experience, 
accounting, and comt^uter proficiency- 
Retail experience helptul. 

For more information coiitaci San Spindler. 

Human Resources. Brethren Seirice Cenler 

=•00 \him Street. Sew Windsor MO _'/770 

Tel. 14101 6JT-.SV.S'/ 



Wrestling with Jesus' identity 

"No other gospel" was the highlight of 
the lanuary MESSENGER (page 18). I 
found the article to be honest and 
open with regard to the person of 
lesus Christ. From my perspective, our 
denomination wrestles with the identi- 
ty ol lesus. You have helped advance 
what I teel is an acceptable position on 
the topic. 

latitcs E. Chriiitisier 
.Vt'u' Raris. Ohio 



BVS 'pay' is no compromise 

lohn C. Graybeal's lanuary letter to the 
editor "WillWe Pay Our BVSers?" 
caught my attention. The same news 
that distnays Mr. Graybeal pleases tne. 
I am encouraged by the realization that 
the US governtnent values contribu- 
tions made by Brethren Volunteer 
Service yyorkers and is willing to pro- 
vide more than a proverbial pat on the 
back. I don't see this as governinent 
compromising BVS. I recently returned 
from three years in BVS. and although 
my projects don't c]ualify for the 
$4,725 education grants, education 
grants do ha\e ati appeal. 

Chris Forticy 
Sib'cr Spring. Md. 



CLASSIFIED ADS 



ATTENTION— RV/tent campers, next time travelling 
(May-Sept) through southwestern Virginia, near 
Roanoke, make Camp Bethel one of the stops Call Camp 
Bethel for site rates & availability Tel (540) 992-2940 

INVITATION— Shalom Church of the Brethren, a new & 
growing fellowship in Durham. N C . invites Brethren 
moving to Research Tnangle area (Raleigh, Durham, 
Chapel Hill) to worship w,' us. Eager to provide moving 
assistance (unloading, childcare, area info ) for those 
relocating to area For info , contact Fellowship, PO Box 
15607, Durham, NC 27704, Tel, (919) 490-6422, E- 
mail. ShalomC0B@A0L.COM, 

POSITION OPENING— Hartville Meadows, an ICF-MR 
32-bed facility in Hartville, Ohio, has immediate opening 
for Administrator Business background w,/ computer 
knowledge & interpersonal skills necessary Two or 
more years of administrative & management in MR or 
related health care field preferred Send resume & salary 
requirement to: Hartville Meadows, 844 Sunnyside St 
S,W,, Harh/llle. OH 44632. Attn.: Personnel Committee, 



THOUGHT-FOR-THE-WEEK— Offered to pastors "God 
will whisper His secrets to anyone who will listen," "No 
Chnstian nses higher than his prayer," & "The Ten 
Commandments are not the Ten Suggestions": just a 
few of the single-sentence spihtual thoughts for medi- 
tations, bulletins, outdoor signs For 100 Thoughts, 
send a SASE to Thought-For-The-Week, Route 1 Box 
1 3-61 , High Hill, MO 63350 No Charge for this service, 

TRAVEL— Pilgnmage to Israel, Jordan, & Greece Oct. 
20-Nov 2, 1996 (14 days). You are invited to |oin 
Wendell & Joan Bohrer on their 10th pilgnmage to the 
Holy Land Visit Jericho, Capernaum, Jerusalem, 
Hebron, the Dead Sea, Qumran, Petra. Athens, Delphi, 
and much more Cost S2,489 from New York, For info. 
write or call: 8520 Royal Meadow Dnve. Indianapolis, IN 
46217 Tel, /Fax (317)882-5067, 

WANTED— Info, about life of Barbara Nickey, M,D. 
Diaries, articles, letters, photos, personal memories, 
etc Write to: Jo Wampler, R R 1 Box 269, Mountain 
City, TN 37683, Tel, (423) 727-4722. 



30 Messenger .-Xpril 199b 



Turoioff PoiDb 



New 

Members 

Note: Congregations are asked 
to submit only the names of 
actual new members of the 
denomination. Do not include 
names of people who have 
merely transferred their mem- 
bership from another Church of 
the Brethren congregation. 

Acts Covenant, Atl. N.E.: |osh 
Boyd. Lisa Carrillo. |ohn & 
Rose Dienner. Steve 
Eikenberry. |osh Gibbel. 
Anne Gingerich. Theda 
Good. V'icki Groff. leremy 
Harder. Derartu & Fedisa 
KiHfa, Ellie Newswanger. 
Naomi Paine. RJck Rutter. 
Dustin Sauder, lanelle 
Shantz. lay Shertzer. Kyle & 
Nathan Smoker. Gerry & 
Sheila Stauffer. Teresa 
Stollzfoos, Travis Yoder 

Agape, N. !nd.: lim &. Rence 
Kart, Tim Shipe. Elizabeth & 
Sarah Spurgeon 

Bannenille, M. PA.: Tabetha 
Gjendem. Steve Wagner. 
Amanda Wright 

Beaver Creek. Mid-Atl.; Mary 
& Michael Creek, lamie 
Doyle, Matthew Keefer. 
Brent Myers. Carrie Shank. 
Natalie Wolfe 

Beavercreek, S. Ohio: Earl 
McDaniel 

Bunkertown, S. Pa.: Briana 
Bashore. Sabrina Boop. Kurt 
& Marc Hoffman, Matt 
Houtz, lonathan Hummel. 
Ruth Miller. Sandra Treaster, 
Adam Truitt. .Vigelica 
Weaver 

Conestoga. Atl. N.E.: 

Christopher Minnier. Mark 
Oellig. Jordan Yingling 

County Line, W. Pa,; Amanda. 
Betty. Roy & Roy Ir. 
Countryman: Kate Healy: 
Eleanor Stauffer: Samuel 
Withrow 

Florin, Atl. N.E.: Caitlyn 

Bowers, Mmdy Kline. Laura 
Pepper 

Fraternity, Virlina: Charlotte 
Beckner, Kelsie Chappeil. 
Elizabeth Schumacher 

Hanover. S. Pa.: Glen & Helen 
Kinsel, Raymond Musselman 

Kcyser. W Marva: Robert 
Barber. Margaret Keister. 
Serena Liller, Lee Ridenour. 
Marindy Weaver. Melanie 
Wilson 

Lacey Community, Ore. /Wash.: 
Susie &. Etta Callahan. 
Kanina Chavez, Brad 
Frederickson, Loren 
Gregorv. Harold Linderson. 
Hazel Nichols. Shelley & 
Tim Rcisher. Haiyang Zhang 

Lampeter. Atl. N E,: Donald 
Billet, lerry & Rhea Clunan. 
Deborah Keener 

Liberty Mills. S/C Ind.; Chris 
Clark. Drew Rover 

Live Oak, Pac. S \V: Liilie 
Alder. Katie Bryant, Danny 
& Debra Fillmore. Evelvn 



Nesmith. Darylene & 

Norman Stein 
Pvrmont, S C Ind.: Randv 

' Welk 
Salamonie. S/C Ind.: lane &. 

Tom Schenkel, Marsha 

Timbers 
Sheldon, N, Plains: lared & |ed 

Cox, Sheena Rolsion 
South Bay Community, Pac 

S W: .\nn Martin 
Union Center. N. Ind.: Aaron & 

Eric Bolt. Annemarie Buss. 

Dawn Deak. Andrew 

Kauffman, Rachel Neff, 

Cheryl Stouder 
White Oak. Ati. N.E.: Reba 

Brubackcr, Reuben Cater. 

Donna Hahn. Mark Reed, 

lennifer Stauffer. lennifer 

Trupe Brandon Zicgler 

220th BVS 
Orientation Unit 

Beck, Petra, Wehretal. 

Germany, to Catholic Worker 
House, San Antonio, Tex. 

Brubaker, Peter. Mount Joy. 
Pa , to Trees for Life. 
Wichita. Kan. 

Cartwrighe, Kimball. Pittfield, 
Mass.. to Casa de Proyecto 
Libertad. Harlingen. Tex. 

Guhl, Tobias. Pirmasens. 
Germany, to Camp Myrtle- 
wood. Mvrtle Point. Ore. 

Key, Robert.' Oak Park. 111. to 
PACE. Belfast. Northern 
Ireland 

McElvany, Scott. Upland. Calif., 
to .\lladi Most, .ASF .Mostar. 
Zagreb. Croatia 

Nygaard, Kai. Skaala. Norway, 
to COB'^'S Family Services. 
Leola. Pa. 

Pesaturo, Carolyn. Venice. Fla.. 
to Amsterdam. Netherlands 

Schaudel. Carlos. Leola. Pa., to 
The Palms of Sebring (Fla.l 

Schoder, Thomas. Dautphetal. 
Germany, to Bread and 
Roses. Olympia. Wash. 

Shively, Scott. North 
Manchester. Ind.. to 
Computer Operations. COB 
General Offices. Elgin. Ill 

Ware, Rita. Salisbury. Md.. to 
Interfaith Conference. 
Washington. D.C. 

Wedding 
Anniversaries 

Ajiglemyer, Frank and Dorothy. 

Nappanee. Ind.. 55 
Bell. Amnion and Ruth. 

Hummelstown. Pa,. 50 
Blough, Ira and Dorothy. 

Chambersburg. Pa.. 50 
Bontrager, loseph and Kathryn. 

Silver Lake, Ind., 60 
Byerly, Robert and Helen. 

South Bend. Ind.. 60 
Chandler, Robert and Betty. 

Beavercreek. Ohio. 50 
Deardorff, Paul and Mable. 

Chambersburg. Pa.. 65 
Doolen, Guy and Fern. La 

Place. 111.'. 55 
Erb, Samual and Beulah. 

Ephrata. Pa., 73 



Ferry, Don and Cora Mae. 

Martinsburg. Pa.. 55 
Foor, Clifford and Naomi. 

Curryville. Pa.. 50 
Fox, Delbert and Bernice, 

Goshen. Ind.. 60 
Gougnour, loe and Alice. 

Woodbury. Pa . 50 
Guyer, Ted and Evelyn. 

Woodbury. Pa . 55 
Harshbarger, Charles and 

Dorothy. Peoria. ID,. 60 
Hirsch, Louis and Evelyn, La 

Place. 111.. 55 
Holmes, Harold and Wilma, 

Wakarusa. Ind.. 50 
Lindsay, William and Mildred. 

Huntingdon. Pa.. 60 
McCaman, Samuel and Donna. 

Lorida. Fla . 50 
Melsker, Sylbert and Arloa. 

Lacey. Wash.. 60 
Metzler, Elwood and Helen. 

Curryville. Pa,. 55 
Millard, Edward and .Ann, 

North Canton. Ohio. 55 
Miller, Warren and Treva. 

Beavercreek. Ohio. 50 
Monninger, George and Maria. 

Hagerstown. Md.. 60 
Norris, Hugh and Velma. 

Dayton. Ohio. 60 
Ritchey, lames and Evelyn, 

Curryville. Pa.. 50 
Robison, Ralph and Lucille. 

Montebello. Calif.. 60 
Ronne, loe and Louise. Lacev. 

Wash . 50 
Roth. Harold and lulia. Lacey. 

Wash,. 50 
Rowlands. Bill and Ginny. 

Wyomissing. Pa.. 50 
Rudy, Ray and Minnie. 

Huntingdon. Pa.. 65 
Schieber, X'irgil and .Mma. 

Goshen. Ind,. 50 
Singer, Ray and Margaret. 

Mc,\listerville, Pa„ 60 
Sollenberger, Robert and \'erna. 

.Annnlle, Pa,, 50 
Spade, Clarence and Mildred. 

McMisterville. Pa,. 50 
Wine, Clarence and Fern, 

Mount Sidney. Va.. 60 
Ziegler, Wilma and Myra. 

Lebanon. Pa , 55 
Zuck. loe and Ruth, Overland 

Park. Kan.. 60 

Pastoral 
Placements 

Brockway, Wayne, from East 

Niniishillen to Center/East 

Nimishillen, N. Ohio 
Caldwell, Rodney, from 

Freeport. Ill, /Wis . to Yellow 

Creek. Ill./Wis. 
Glover, Clara, froin secular to 

Brook Park, N. Ohio 
lacobsen, Bruce. Bethel, N. 

Ohio, from interim to 

part-time 
lones, Kermit. from secular to 

Sugar Grove. W. Pa. 
Menker, Mel. from Medina. N. 

Ohio, to Oak Park. W Marva 
Metzler. David, from secular to 

Cedar Run. Shen. 
Moon, Samuel G.. from secular 

to Asher Glade. W. Marva 
Moore, Lorene. from other 



denomination to Good 

Shepherd. Mo., 'Ark. 
Rulon, Dale, from Kent. N. 

Ohio, to Lake Breeze, 

N. Ohio 
Shumaker, Terry L., from 

Buena Vista Stone. Shen.. to 

Pleasant Dale. S/C Ind. 
Yoder, Leon, from Harmony to 

Broadlording. Mid-Atl. 



Licensing/ 
Ordination 

Bosler. Lucy, ordained Ian. 13. 

1996. Rice Lake. Ill./Wis. 
Cayford, Cheryl, licensed Sept, 

13. 1995, Highland .Avenue. 

Ill./Wis. 
Deeter, leanne. licensed .Aug 

24. 1995. Mack Memorial. 

S. Ohio 
Fisher, Neil, ordained May 5. 

1995. Mohrsville. Atl. N.E. 
Hinkle, lohn Shannon, licensed 

Ian 15, 1996. Martin Creek. 

111.,'Wis, 
Knotts, Donald Raymond. 

licensed Nov. 9. 1995. 

Knobley. W. Marva 
Moon, Samuel G.. licensed 

Nov. 9, 1995. Gortner. 

W. Marva 
Schultz, Gary, licensed Ian. 13. 

1906. .Astoria. Ill./Wis. 
Shelton, Susan, ordained 

Nov. 4. 1995. Middle 

District. S Ohio 
Shockney, Richard, licensed 

Sept '5. 1995. Salem. 

S Ohio 
Tinkel, Paul D.. ordination 

received fan. 13. 1996. West 

Eel River. S C Ind 
Wealherholl. Otis "Buzz", lulv 

29. 1995. South Mill Creek. 

W .Marva 
Wolfe, David E.. ordained Ian, 

13. 1996. Manchester, 

S/C Ind, 

Deaths 

Andrews, Edwin. 73. Nappanee. 
Ind., Dec, 20. 1995 

Bard, E Glenn. 84. Chambers- 
burg. Pa,. April 25. 1995 

Bense, Edward V. 56. Windber. 
Pa . ,Aug 4. 1995 

Bontrager, G. loseph. 86. Silver 
Lake. Ind.. Dec. 50. 1995 

Bryan, Irvin. 84. Lacey. Wash,. 
May 10. 1995 

Clark. Roger. 90, Greenville, 
Ohio. |une23. 1995 

Coddinglon. Mae. 93. Troy. 
Ohio. Nov 14. 1995 

Conover, Olive. 95, Nappanee. 
Ind.. Nov. 10, 1995 

Cook. leffrey, 38. Tipp Citv, 
Ohio. Dec, 23, 1994 

Cook, Maurice. 90. Lacev. 
Wash. Oct. 24. 1995' 

Deardorff, Helen M.. 82. 

Hartville. Ohio. Nov. 4. 1995 

Derringer, Mabel. 86. Green- 
ville. Ohio, April 23. 1995 

Fackler, Catherine. 79. Syra- 
cuse. Ind.. Nov. 17. 1995 

Feazelle, Sarah. 31, Roanoke. 
Va.. Sept. 17, 1995 



Firebaugh, Ola Mildred. 89. 
Roanoke. Va.. Sept. 3. 1995 

Flora, Bettv W, 68, Boones 
Mill. Va.". Dec. 22. 1995 

Flora, Mildred. 85. Boones Mill. 
Va.. Nov. 19. 1995 

Fronk, Martha. 87. Mc.Alister- 
ville. Pa.. Ian. 29, 1995 

Frushour, Lelia E.. 85. Cham- 
bersburg. Pa.. Feb. 8. 1995 

Geiman, .Michael. 47. Cham- 
bersburg. Pa., Oct, 27. 1995 

Grosnickle, Roy. 56. Stonelick. 
Ohio. Dec. 4, 1995 

Guyer, Edward S.. 79. Roaring 
Springs. Pa., Ian. 29, 1996 

Hale, Edwin "Pete". 78. La 
Place. 111,. Dec. 10. 1995 

Hepler, .\rlene. 72, Nappanee. 
Ind.. Dec. 13. 1995 

Hicks, Lottie R.. 81. Roanoke. 
\a.. .March 9. 1995 

Hodges, Rufus F. 87. Roanoke. 
Va. April 3. 1995 

Hoover, Walter. 77. Windber. 
Pa.. Sept. 28. 1995 

Horst, Paul D.. 81. Hagers- 
town. Md.. Nov, 30. 1995 

Hummer, .Viae. 86. Lancaster. 
Pa. Sept. 15. 1995 

lackson, G. Larry, 59, Cerro 
Gordo. III.. Jan. 24. 1996 

lamison, Levi E.. 97. Boones 
Mill. Va.. Dec, 21, 1995 

Keeport, Evelyn, 83. Wyo- 
missing. Pa,. Nov 24, 1995 

Knavel, V^ergie. 93, Windber, 
Pa„ luly 1, 1995 

Layman. Weldon E,. 63. Har- 
risonburg. Va.. .March 17. 
1995 

Leight, .Mary E.. 78. Cham- 
bersburg. Pa., May 50. 1995 

Miles, Charles. 86. Oueen City. 
,Mo.. Oct. 6. 1995 

Miller, Daniel L . 96. New Leb- 
anon. Ohio. Dec 15. 1905 

Minser, Donald R.. 78. 

Hartville. Ohio, Dec. 7. 1995 

Myers, Olive R,, 87. Chambers- 
burg. Pa.. Aug. 20. 1995 

Over, Naomi. 84, Roaring 
Spring. Pa.. Jan. II. 1996 

Overstreet, Gordon H.. SO. 
Penhook. Va.. Dec. 22. 1995 

Picking, lohn F. 88. Chambers- 
burg. Pa. .April 19. 1995 

Puffenbarger, Virgil, 74. Har- 
risonburg. Va.. Dec. 5. 1995 

Reed. Donald. SO. Olvmpia. 
Wash.. Sept. 11. 1995 

Rice. Maude. 89. Lacev. Wash.. 
Oct. 25. 1995 

Schumacher, DeLane C. 
Winston-Salem. N.C.. Nov. 
24. 1995 

Scifman, Wavne. 79. Davton. 
Ohio. .Aug, 12. 1995 ' 

Sliehter, Evelyn R.. SS. Cham- 
bersburg. Pa., Oct. IS. 1995 

Snyder, Maurice. 85. North 
Canton. Ohio. luly 2b. 1995 

Suhrc, .Arthur. 76. Tipp Citv. 
Ohio. Ian. IS. 1995 

Wampler, Edna M.. 93. Harris- 
onburg. Va.. .April 17. 1995 

Warden, Samuel. 68. Winston- 
Salem. N.C.. Sept. 4. 1995 

Wehrlev, Walter, 84. Vandalia. 
Ohio. Nov. 14. 1994 

Wirick, Richard H.. 67. 

Windber. Pa.. Aus- 15. 1995 



April 1996 Messenger 31 



Leeward to stay on even keel 



Spending sonic time in \ iiginia in laic winter. I 
k>nnd reading nuitlcr u> m\ liking in a new bingra- 
ph\ ot Robert 1'. Lee. I.ee. the great and re\ered 
Contederate genei'al. is a lit snbjeel loi' an\ Hue 
X'irginian. 

.As a subjeel ol ni\ interest, lie goes back a good 
way. When 1 was a high school junior. I.ee was the 
focus of a research paper 1 did in linglish class. As 
best I lecall. it was (he liist "major" |iieee oi 
research and writing I had done. I was ciuile 
pleased with my linisheil jiaper; particularly taken 
was 1 with its title. "Onh a I'oor Old Confederate." 
I picked that up from a reference the modest sol- 
dier once made to himself. Indeed. 1 presumed 
that, with m\ stack o\ index cards, extensive bibli- 
cigraphy. rough dralts. carelully done lootnotes. 
aiul typed manuscripts. 1 had produced tlie defini- 
tive work on Lee loi' that lime. 

liut e\en if it were that, my work has been 
superseded by that of other scholars, so I was 
read\ during my leccnt X'irginia interlude to read 
of Lee again and see what fresh insights there 
were to gain. And there were many. 

1 did not read the book with an\ thought o\ 
finding grist for a MfssencI k editorial. But this 
current biographer made much oi Lee's religious 
faith and life, anil set me to relleeting. 

Lee was not an overtly religious person. Although 
he did not join the L.piscopal church until he was 
4b vears old. Lee alwavs had been a laithlul. active 
church attender. ami he mouthed all the conect 
pieties expected o\ him. 

Let it be clear that Lee is not a martial hero of 
mine. I do not resonate to his military career or to 
his acceptance ol using armed loi'cc and its atten- 
tlant \ iolence \o gain a nation's ends. 1 abhor his 
helici that government and society should be run 
by tiie elite — the well-born, the wealthy, the pow- 
erful — and. although Lee freed liis slaves, it was 
ni(.)re because he wearied of having to manage 
them (by force) than because he believed they 
deserved freetk)m and equality. Indeed, bv today's 
standards. Lee held scandalously racist views, 
believing that AlVican Americans were inferior in 
all ways to whites. 

Wliat intrigues me is the questit)n of what sus- 
tained Lee throughout the terrible war in w hich he 
cast his lot with the enemv of the Union, and even- 
tually led its armies in what he figured from the 
beginning was a lost cause. How do you keep going 



when you know you are gt)ing to lose'.' And. having 
lost the war, what sustains you when you see that 
the reunited nation is never going to recapture the 
old values you had so revered'.' Something sus- 
tained Lee. Hut what was it? Surely the answer 
would liokl a moial lesson worth learning. 

Lee talked a lot about "duty," and I am not sure 
what all he meant by that. But he seemed always 
to count the cost, lake the course he believed it 
was right to take {not necessarily the one best cal- 
culated to reward him. you understand), and then 
tough it out. come what may. Lhat's faith as I 
understand it: It matters not that I succeed, but 
that I have been laithlul. 

Another thing that seemeil to sustain Lee. and 
which ties right in with the other, was his knack, 
when setbacks came, of making the best o\ it — not 
becoming depressed and grieving loi' what might 
have been, but acce|iting the new reality and start- 
ing afresh from that point. I personally have 
kiuivvn some peciplc with that same altitude, and 
they all seemed to live with a calmness and sereni- 
ty that made their life rich. 

One day during the time 1 was making Lee's 
biograjihy my bedtime reading. I was driving 
through wooded Virginia hills and came u|"ion a 
landscape ruined by loggers. I found myscll wish- 
ing that there was some way to stay the hands that 
seem bent on destroying the beauty of evei'ything 
they touch, some way to preserve things the way I 
vveiukl want them to be. 



T. 



, hat set me to thinking: Well, what is it, really, 
that we can hold onte). when we control so little 
(actually nothing) in this vvoi'ld'.' Mulling the 
answer to my own ciuestion. I realized anew that 
ultimately, all we have is our faith in God. All that 
we hold onto, we have to turn loose. 

,\s 1 drove along that reiad through the mangled 
forest, it struck me that my thoughts were very 
much in tune with what sustained Robert E. Lee 
in the devastation of the defeated Confederacy. All 
that is material fails irs. ultimately. It matters not 
that we succeed, but that we are faithful. 

II my conscience had been disturbed that I was 
reading and enjoying the biography ol a military 
man. it now was assuaged. I put the scene ol pil- 
laged hillsides behind me and continued along the 
road. — K.T. 



32 Messenger .April IQ^b 



study guide 



April 1996 



Stations of the Resurrection (pages 16-19) 

Our Bible study for April centers on the journey of |esus as depicted 
by the artist and the corresponding scriptures, with comments and 
questions for group discussion or individual meditation. 

\. He set his face (Luke 9:5 \. Matt. 16:21, 17:12) lesus' disciples 
were looking for a royal, Davidic messiah. The thought of the Messiah 
having to suffer was beyond their comprehension (Matt. 16:22, Mark 
9:50-32). So with his closest followers not aware of the role he would 
take, nor of the depth of his agony, can you imagine how very alone 
lesus must ha\e felt in those last moments on the cross (Matt. 27:46, 
Psa. 22:1-5)? But this was, as the writer |ohn puts it, the purpose for 
which he had come (|ohn 12:27). 

2. Two basins (|ohn 15:5-5, 12-16) Consider the contrast between 
the two paintings. Notice when Pilot is in charge, how he and lesus 
relate, including body language, and how he uses the basin. By com- 
parison, lesus' style of "leadership" is to become as a servant (|ohn 
15:12-16). As followers of Christ, what is our relationship to those 
with whom we serve? What manner of leadership is ours? 

5. Peter denies lesus (Mark 14:29-21, 66-72; |ohn 15:56-58, 
18:25-27) What a collage the artist gives us! At once we focus on the 
proud rooster in full voice and on lesus with hands bound before the 

authorities, while Peter suddenly, at the crowing of the cock, realizes his worse fears have come true. 
Notice in the texts how in denying his master, he denies himself as well, even down to disclaiming his 
nationality and accent. So when we deny allegiance to Christ, what do we deny in ourselves? 

4. The crucifixion (Luke 25:55-54, Heb. 4:14-16, 9:1 1-15) lesus' mission was one on our behalf, 
that through his life and death we might experience forgiveness and know God's love and acceptance 
in our lives. In what ways does that open up new possibilities for living and loving? 

5. The scourging (Matt. 27:28-29) What are you reminded of by the Centurion in armor behind 
lesus? Or by the barbed wire? Or the crown of thorns? What is it about our humanity that we make 
others the targets of hostility? lesus served as a lightning rod to discharge the mob's anger at his 
authority and straightforward goodness. What are some of the lightning rods for anger in our day? 
How does the cycle of retaliation finally stop? 

6. Mary, inotlier of lesus (Luke 1 :58) Are there times when the call of discipleship places you in a 
position of unpopularity? In such times, what good fruits can be born out of your obedience? 

7. Resurrection (Luke 24:5, Rev. 21:5, 25) Can you agree with the artist's untraditional title of this 
article, emphasizing the resurrection and thus affirming that the journey of lesus was "ultimately 
toward life, not death?" Is this a helpful point of view as you consider the renewing power it offers for 
our lives? Note the depiction of the empty tomb. 





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8. For additional consideration, as an example of how the resurrection can be for us "a way of liv- 
ing" (page 16), complete your Bible study with a brief summary of the story on pages 22-26, as a 
contemporary example of "how life is to be found and lived." Can you see parallels between Jesus' 
journcN and that stor\''.' What are some aspects o( new life and \'ictory coming out of that story? 

Doubting the reigning |esus (pages 14-15) 

1. When \ou read that even among the 1 I disciples closest to jcsus, some had doubts even as they 
met one last time, are you left with a sense that you're getting a realistic report about people like us? 

2, So what of our doubts today? With \iolence so prominent in our streets and corruption at the 
seats of power, do you sometimes doubt that lesus really reigns with authority? Note how the author 
turns our doubts into reassurance, that even when you're not sure, you're among some of the faithful! 
And just because you can't see signs of lesus reigning over all the earth doesn't mean he isn't! After all, 
can you and I hope to be unfailing in our trust every moment of our lives? I doubt it! 

Angels: They're everywhere 

1 . What's your favorite angel story from the Bible? If angel appearances don't readilv come to mind, 
check out Gen. 16-19; |ob 1-2: Daniel 5:24-50. 9:21; Psa. 91:11; Luke 1:26-58. 2:12-15; and Mark 
1:12. Can you see a pattern of angels as messengers? .'Xnd of their being subordinate to God? 

2. Check out both the cause for rejoicing and cause for concern gi\en on page 21. Are you one who 
needs help in seeing beyond a purely scientific view of our world? Have you ever thought of a stranger 
as an angel in disguise? If so. in what sense did that person help you in serving or praising God? 

No one is beyond redemption (pages 22—25) 

1 . When news reporters say. "Peter . . . did not fit the mold" (page 25) and "they (Peter and Donna) 
are obviously not typical of our normal victims." what is the prevailing sense of a "mold" or of being 
"normal?" The hymn stanza quoted on page 25 suggests another "mold" by which our lives may be 
formed, that of the "calm, suffering man of Galilee." So how normal are you? And by which standard 
do you measure? 

2. What about forgiveness, really? How do you let go of your anger and your desire for retribution 
when you've been violated? Does it help to remember that we all need forgiveness and redemption? Or 
that "lesus forgave his persecutors while he was still on the cross?" 

5. It's common to hear people decry how much violence fills the news. But if news is defined as 
what is unusual, there is at least some small measure of comfort that bad news still is unusual and not 
the norm. So in a society where "no one is beyond redemption" becomes a headline, or where people 
are surprised when Christians respond with mercy and forgiveness (page 25). there is cause for con- 
cern. What can we do in families, congregations, and communities to establish acts of mercy and love 
as the norm? 

Editorial — Leeward to stay on even keel (page 32) 

1 . It's an age old question, really, whether to be faithful to your principles or successful in the eyes 
of the world. Which is it for you? Think of examples of when you've been in such a dilemma. 

2. \\ ith this issue's resurrection emphasis, the contrast becomes clear that a Christian convinced of 
the ultimate triumph of God's reign over the world has a luxury General Lee did not have — being 
called to service for a winning cause. How do you answer the editor's call for a commitment that is 
faithful, leaving the future in God's hands? 

To order >our tree monthly single eopy ot the Messenc[;r Study CJuide, send your name, address, and name of congregation to 
Messenger Study Guide, 1451 [Dundee Ave.. Elgin. IL 60120. Your guide will be mailed each month ahead of Messenger's arrival. 





An ark for today s world 



oah's ark stands as a symbol of hope, 
replenishment, and promise. 

■'Fill the Ark" is also about hope, a 
chance tor the world's himgry to have adequate food 
and income, h is about multiplication as families pass 
on part of their gift to others. It is about new begin- 
nings as struggling people find the means to feed them- 
selves and care for their environment. 

"Fill the Ark" supports Heifer Project International and 
its work through 300 projects in 38 countries. "Fill the 



Ark" undergirds development programs of the Church 
of the Brethren in Sudan, Nigeria, and India, and 
placement ot BVSers in hunger-related work at home. 

"Fill the Ark" helps you become more globally and 
environmentally aware. A colorful four-week calendar 
and an ark bank inspire daily acts of giving. Creative 
worship and fun activities unite the congregation in 
reaching out in God's love. 

Like Noah, you can "Fill the Ark" — an ark that stands 
tor hope, replenishment, and promise in today's world. 



Church oi the Brethren/Heiter Project International 



For sample "Fill iheArk" materials, call 800 323-8039, ext. 424. 



WHAT WOULD JESUS 
SAY TO THE WORSHIP 
COMMITTEE 
OF YOUR 
CHURCH ? 

ffffcf ouf of Ifie 
1996 



June 14-16, 1996 

Duquesne University 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

For a Free Brochure Call 
800-774-3360 

Sponsored by 

I III 

.\NI)KKVV 

Ch'.STF.H 





Cincinnati — Annual Conference 1996 9 

The 210th annual meeting of the Church of the Brethren returns to 
Ohio's Queen City from luly 2-7. and our extensive Conference pre- 
view highlights the week's activities. 

Who will fill our pulpits? 10 

The Committee on Ministerial Leadership will present its final 
report to Conference delegates, and it lists the ills that are affect- 
ing the denomination's ministerial leadership structure. Is there 
any good news? Robert Faus gives us the answer in his preview 
of the report, while Nevin Dulabaum presents some tangible data 
in a sidebar. Other business items expected to be considered at 
Conference are summarized in sidebars bv Paula Wildinsf. 



In Touch 2 
Close to Home 4 
News 6 
In Brief 8 
Stepping Stones 24 
From the 

General Secretary 
Letters 50 
Pontius' Puddle 55 
Partners in Prayer 
Turning Points 55 
Editorial 56 



21 



54 



What, where, and when 14 

Want to know what will happen when and where? Paula Wilding 
includes it all in this roundup of miscellaneous information. 

Brethren in the land of the Miamis 18 

When settlers moved into southwestern Ohio's Miami Valley in 
the late 18th century, "one of the most remarkable men in colo- 
nial America" was among them. David Eller tells us about this 
amazing Brethren evangelist. And lames Tomlonson gives us the 
historical background of the 200-year history of the Church of 
the Brethren in Cincinnati. 

Being a 'Lone Ranger' is not enough 22 

A Brethren tenet is serving others. But do we serve unselfconciously 
and stick with it to help others over the long haul? David Radcliff 
says if we don't, maybe we shouldn't serve at all. 



Lending a hand in Marlinton 25 

When the second '"500 year' Hood in a decade" struck West Virginia 
counties in lanuary. Brethren came to the rescue, lason Bauserman 
recounts the story and adds a sidebar comparing Brethren disaster 
response of today to that of 25 years ago. 




Cover story: A congregation staring at an 
empty pulpit. It's a scene that is becoming 
more and more common throughout the 
Church of the Brethren, as pastoral 
vacancies increasingly are not being 
tallied for a variety of reasons. These rea- 
sons ha\e been identified by the Com- 
mittee on Ministerial Leadership, which 
will be making its final report at Annual 
Conterence. Robert faus begins our exten- 
sive Conference coverage with a pre\iew of 
that report. (Cover photo by |eff heard.) 



Mav HQb \lL-^j.enser 1 



Ninety years of music 

Between them, sisters 
Verna Sollenberger and 




Sifters Xrleiic Keller (lefl) 

and \erua Sollenberiier 

have blessed the 

cliureli iviili their music 

for a combined 90 years. 



"Ill Touch " prolVc^ Hrclhreu we 
windd like you (o iiiect. Send 
slory Ideas and photon to "In 
Toiieh." Missrsci K. ;-/5/ 
Dundee Ave-. likin. 11. W120 



Arlene Keller lia\c 90 

years of serving the 
Church of the Brethren 
through music. 

Until recently. Verna 



Working for others 

For the pasi 1 3 years, 
William Fletcher, a mem 

bcr ol liiivhart Und.) Cit\ 
Church of the Brethren, has 
been acli\e with liikhart 
Communits Hospice as its 
medical director. 

.'\ well-knoun doctor in 
the area. William sees Hos- 
pice as "a \\a\ ot helping 
people look at terminal ill- 
ness and a means ol pro- 
viding support." 

In more communities 
across the countr\. people 
are turning to hospice pro- 
grams to pro\ide reliel and 
direction during the last 
months of their li\es. as an 



served as music director 
at .A^nnville (Pa.) Church 
of the Brethren, begin- 
ning in 1950. Arlene 
began her work at the 
Midway congregation in 
Lebanon, Pa., during the 
same year, and continues 
to serve in that role. 

"It was so obvious that 
music was our gift." said 
A)-lene. "We didn't need 
to find ourselves like 
many other people do." 

The sisters, daughters 
of Ira and .Ada Schlosser. 
both earned degrees in 
music at Lebanon (Pa.) 
Valley College and taught 
music in public schools. 

Their father was a self- 
taught musician who di- 
rected music at Heidel- 
burg Church of the Breth- 
ren. Myerstown. Pa. WTiile 
their father influenced 
them in music, the sisters 
credit their mother with 
the encouragement to 
pursue music. 



alternative to hospital care. 

"People who are dying 
ha\c a lot ot physical and 
emotional needs — that's 
where Hosjiice comes in." 
William said. "We help with 
social, religious, and finan- 
cial needs — interdepend- 
ence is emphasized." 

This is in contrast to the 
message gi\en by the world. 
.According to William. e\er\ - 
thing in modern life, includ- 
ing the media, helps people 
ignore the fact that \se can't 
escape death and we may 
not be able to go it alone. 

"It's like the poem in- 
\ ictus.' '1 am the master of 
m\ fate. 1 am the captain of 
mv soul.' That's the .Amcri- 



One of the sisters' high- 
lights from their years of 
music ser\ice was combin- 
ing their choirs for joint 
programs. One secondary 
effect: Six couples who met 
during the joint practices 
led by Ai'lene and Verna 
eventually were married. 

On the denominational 
le\el. Arlene and Verna 
were coordinators of 
music at the 1980 .Annual 
Conference in Pittsburgh. 

Last fall, the sisters' re- 
spective congregations 
honored them for their 
years of service. During 
the service for .Arlene, for- 
mer choir members joined 
her at the front of the 
sanctuary as she led the 
opening hymn. 

Former choir meinbers 
also honored Verna dur- 
ing her special service, as 
did her daughter Nancy 
Heishman. team pastor of 
Harrisburg (Pa.) First 
Church of the Brethren. 



can thesis, that life is what 
you make it." 

But nothing w ill get your 
attention like learning you 
ha\e a terminal disease. 
W illiam said. 

"We hear all sorts ot 
responses from patients." 
he said. "Some say they're 
going to fight this thing, 
that it won't get them, that 
the\'re going to Hong 
Kong for the latest cancer 
cure. Others say. ">'ou can't 
scare me. I'm going to li\e 
fore\er with |esus.' Others 
gi\e up. I think that is 
where the hospice concept 
comes in." 

William said he thought oi 
Hospice as more of a con- 



2 .Mcsi^cnger Mav IQflb 



cept than an organization. 
"That's what these support 
services are about, helping 
people look at terminal ill- 
nesses and how to be sup- 
ported." — Frank Ramirez 

rnmk Ramirez is piislor of 
Elklnirt Valley Church of the 
Brethren. Elkhart. Iml. 



Music for a lifetime 

When Peters Creek Church 
of the Brethren, Roanoke 
County, Va.. celebrated its 
sesquicentennial in 1995, it 
also recognized two of its 
musicians for an outstand- 
ing mark. 

Beginning to play in their 
preteen years. Estelle Vine- 
yard and Kathleen Craun 
have served as organist and 
pianist for almost half of the 
congregation's 150 years. 

Estelle first played the 
organ at Peters Creek in the 
1920s. When the small 
pump organ was replaced 
by a piano. Estelle and 
Kathleen took turns playing 
at services. Estelle became 
the full-time organist when 
an electronic organ was 
purchased in 1954. 

Kathleen originally had 
played the organ at a Peters 
Creek mission church in 
Salem. When the mission 
stopped having services, 
she played at Peters Creek, 
eventually becoming its 
full-time pianist. 

Besides working with 
each other, Estelle and 
Kathleen also have worked 
with family. Kathleen's 
brother. Theron Garst, 
organized Peters Creek's 
first adult choir and direct- 
ed it for more than 20 
years. Estelle's daughter. 



Pietist relations abroad 

He was the only American 
invited to the conference. 
In fact, he is the only 
American ever invited to 
the conference during its 
four-year history. 

Jeff Bach, assistant pro- 
fessor of Brethren Studies 
and director of Peace 
Studies at Bethany Theo- 
logical Seminary in Rich- 
mond, Ind., attended the 
Fourth International Sym- 
posium for Young Pietist 
Scholars in Switzerland, 
March 4-6. 

[eff, who is working 
toward his doctorate from 
Duke University, was one 
of 16 scholars invited to 
give a presentation on his 
research. His topic, which 
was based on his doctoral 
research, was "The 
Understanding of Sophia 



Betty Lou Carter, has 
served as the congregation's 
music director since 1967. 

The congregation plans a 
special recognition service 
for its musicians in the fall. 
— Gfrry Plunkett 

Gerry Plunkett is a member of 
Peters Creek Church of the 
Brethren in Roanoke. \'a. 



Names in the news 

Mary Cline Detrick, a for- 
mer General Board staff, 
was elected chairwoman of 
the International Commit- 
tee of the Fellowship of the 
Least Coin. 

Mary, who also is the 
current director of 
Ecumenical Celebrations 




according to Conrad 
Beissel and Solitaries at 
Ephrata." 

The dissertation and 
paper "explore the Euro- 
pean roots of Beissel's con- 
cept of Holy Wisdom, or 
Sophia, and its interface 



for Church Women United, 
is the first non-Asian to 
chair the Least Coin, an 
international movement for 
peace and reconciliation. 
The organization helps 
support worthy women's 
projects with the collection 
of pennies, the "least coin." 

• Jessica Shunian, a 
member of Chiques Church 
of the Brethren, Manheim, 
Pa., will spend April-Dec- 
ember in service with an 
Eastern Mennonite Missions" 
Youth Evangelism Service 
team in Lebanon. Pa. 

She will assist Corner- 
stone Christian Fellowship, 
a Church of the Brethren 
church planting in inner- 
city Lebanon, in evange- 
lism, children's and youth 
ministries, and discipleship. 



Jeff Bach and former 
Bethany student Marcus 
Meier stand on a 
Schwarzenau, Germany, 
street named after 
Brethren founder 
Alexander Mack. 



with the lives and roles of 
the celibate sisters at Eph- 
rata," |eff said. 

His paper, as well as 
papers by the other pre- 
senting scholars, were cri- 
tiqued by seven senior 
scholars who are interna- 
tionally recognized 
authorities on Pietism. 

Following the confer- 
ence, |eff went to Ger- 
many, where he visited 
with former Bethany stu- 
dent Marcus Meier and 
visited Schwarzenau, 
home of the Church of 
the Brethren. 



Remembered 

William P. Nyce, 7 1 , died on 
February 25. Nyce served as 
director of SERRV Interna- 
tional from 1964-1981. 
Nyce is credited with being a 
pioneer in the international 
alternati\'e trades market. 

"Bill's philosophy was that 
of the Church of the Brethren 
. . . 'For the glory ot God and 
my neighbor's good.'" said 
Nyce's wife, Frances. 




William \\cc 



Mav I'-lQb Messenger 3 





Special members 

Alter the deacon board 
of Buffalo Valley 

Cliurch of tlic Brethren 
in Mifllinburg. I'a.. was 
presented uitli the con- 
cept of receiving jieople 
with developmental dis- 




Cek'hriiiiiiii liiifjulo 

\allc'y Church of the 

lirclhix'it's Special 

Person Membership are 

Ruth and ludy riemiii^; 

Randall liske; and Andy. 

David, and Ruth Haines. 

ludy and Andy were the 

conf;refiation 's first 

mem hers recei i ed 

throufih the Special 

Person Membership. 



"Cldsc Id Home" hifildiglils 
iicifs oj coii^H'galioiif.. dislricis. 
colk'fics. homes, aiitl other hical 
ami regional hje Send siory 
idciif. and photos to "Close to 
Home." Mrssr\c.[ K. /-/t/ 
Dundee. \\e-. Elgin. II. WIJO 



abilities as special mem- 
bers of the congregation, 
they decided to do just 
that with two of the con- 
gregation's regular atten- 
dees — ludy Fleming and 
Andy Haines — both who 
are developmentally dis- 
abled. 

Since there are no de- 
nominational policies 
concerning special mem- 



A joint project 

Mcl'hcrson College and 
McPhersoii Church of the 
Brethren jointly hosted two 
concerts by Berleburger 
Kammcrchor. a 40-member 
cliamhei- choir from Bad 
Berleburg. German\. in 
March. 
The clu>ir pevlormed in 



berships. Association of 
Brethren Caregivers 
director jay Gibble en- 
couraged the congrega- 
tion to develop and im- 
plement its own policies, 
and perhaps lead the way 
in ministries for the 
developmentally disabled 
and their families 
for other congrega- 
tions to follow. 

The deacons pre- 
sented the Special 
Person Member- 
ship amendment to 
Buffalo Valley 
members, which 
they unanimously 
approved in May 
1994. 

ludy and Andy 

were received into 

membership at the 

church in a special 

, .. [uly service. 

Both Andy's and 
ludy's families 
com]nented how much 
the service meant to Andy 
and |udy, as well as to 
themselves. 

"It has given us a 
warm and wonderful 
feeling knowing that the 
'Family of God' has given 
Andy this blessing,'" said 
Andy's parents and sister 
in a letter to the congre- 
gation. 



Mcl'hers(.)n as a iesp(_)nse 
to the \isit of the Mcl'hcr- 
son College Choii' during 
its lune 1995 lun'opcan 
tour. The college choii' vis- 
ited Bad Berleburg because 
ol its historical ce)nnection 
as a cit\ that encompasses 
Schwarzenau, Germany, 
the birthplace of the 
Church of the Brethren. 



"This is a group whose tal- 
ent is worthy of the largest 
concert arenas in the big 
cities." said Dr. .'Man Gunim. 
director ol MePherson 
choii's. "\et. through the 
positixe contacts made on 
our tour, they were most 
intei'csted in visiting our 
community o'i Mcl'hcrson 
and sharing their consider- 
able talent with us." 







Mel'liersiin College (.'hoir 



Campus Comments 

MePherson College an 

nounced the resignation of 
lames Uodson. executive 
\ice president and treasurer, 
effective September I. His 
lutuie plans are undecided. 

• Manchester College 
will host its Mindpower 
youth program, |uly 7-19. 
The two-week academic 
camp is geared for gifted 
and talented seventh to 
ninth graders. 

Courses will include math, 
]ihilosophy. history, writing, 
astronomy. Mandarin 
Chinese, mediation skills 
and conflict resolution, and 
.Ap|ialachian culture. 

• luniata College enter- 
ed into a formal affiliation 
with Tulane Lni\ersity 
School of Medicine. New 



4 Messenger M;iv 1996 



Orleans, La. Tulane has 
agreed to provide opportu- 
nities for early acceptance of 
|uniata"s pre-med students, 
luniata students will be giv- 
en preferred status in appli- 
cation review and enroll- 
ment. 

luniata pre-med students 
will have the opportunity to 
work toward the medical 
degree concurrently with 
various Master's degrees. 

• Manchester College 
instituted CampusLine, a 
phone line for access to the 
latest campus information. 
CampusLine, which began 
in February, features sports 
scores, information about 
concerts, the Public Pro- 
gram series, campus day 
\isits, and other events and 
information. CampusLine 
can be reached at (219) 
982-5060. 

• Bridgewater College s 
men"s basketball team was 
doubly honored this winter. 
Coach Bill Leatherman was 
named Old Dominion Ath- 
letic Conference (ODAC) 
Coach ot the Year. Point 
guard Craig Tutt was named 



Finding Joiin Naas 

Ten members of Palmyra 
(Pa.) Church of the 
Brethren, spent a Novem- 
ber day cleaning up the 
gravesite of |ohn Naas. 

Naas, an early leader in 
the Church of the Breth- 
ren who migrated to 
America in 1753 and 
started the Amwell, N.}., 
congregation soon there- 
after, is buried in an 
Amwell cemetery. How- 
ever, the Atlantic North- 



to the .All -ODAC team. 

The Bridgewater Eagles 
men's team also was given 
an at-large bid to the Na- 
tional Collegiate Athletic 
Association (NCAA) Divi- 
sion III tournament. 



Returning the favor 

In February. Shiloh 
Church of the Brethren, 
located north of Stan- 
ardsville, Va.. returned a 
much -appreciated favor. 

When the Shiloh church 
had $50,000 worth of dam- 
age to church property, due 
to flooding last |une, peo- 
ple from Marlinton, W.Va.. 
helped them with labor and 
goods. So when Marlinton 
experienced flooding this 
past February (page 25). 
the Shiloh church remem- 
bered what had been done 
for them. 

The Shiloh church gath- 
ered money and a semi full 
of clothing, food, and other 
necessities that the people 
of Marlinton needed. 



east District Historical 
Committee did not know 
exactly where. 

George Landis, pastor 
of the Amwell congrega- 
tion, likely the only living 
person who knew where 
Naas' grave was located, 
assisting the Historical 
Committee in finding it. 

With George's help, the 
grave was marked with a 
temporary stone, and a 
permanent marker was 
placed in the fall by the 
Palmyra clean-up crew. 



Let's Celebrate 

Middlebury (Ind.) Church 
of the Brethren celebrated 
its first service at its new 
building on April 7, Easter 
Sunday. 

The congregation held 
special services on March 
28 and 51 in their old tacil- 
ity. which was sold to 
Roselawn Conservative 
Mennonite Church. 

• Madison Avenue 
Church of the Brethren in 
"\'ork. Pa., celebrates its 
50th anniversary this year. 
In honor of its celebration, 
an anniversarv cookbook 



was published, as well as a 
history of the congregation, 
written by Elmer Gleim, 
pastor. 



This and That 

Sebring (Fla.) Church of 
the Brethren held its sixth 
annual Community Choir 
Festival on February 1 7, 
.Adult and youth choirs, 
mimes, and men's choruses 
from seven area congrega- 
tions participated in the 
event, which drew nearly 
600 people. 




Steve Hoffer, Diane Groff, and Al Graves survey the 
clean-up work their group from the Palmyra (Pa.) 
church did at the John Naas gravesite and cemetery. 



During the November 
project, the 10 Palmyra 
members worked not only 
on Naas' gravesite, but also 
throughout the cemetery. 

The cemetery, which is 
approximately 60 feet by 
1 00 feet, is surrounded by 
a stone wall that was in 



need of repair. Besides 
repairing the wall, the 
crew also set grave mark- 
ers upright and cleaned 
away brush. 

A gift of S 1 00 was given 
to the Palmyra group by 
the farmer whose land the 
gravesite is located on. 



Mav Ul^lo Messengers 




CWS celebrates its 50th 
anniversary tliis month 

C'lunLh World Sfrvicc (CWS), the 
international relief cITort of the 
National Council of C'hurehes (NCC). 
which proNided Sit million worth ol 









In 1995. CWS spent S2.4 
million on aid to the for- 
mer ^iifioslaria. which 
included shipments of food 
(above) and "Gift of the 
Heart" school and health 
kits. Brethren alone pro- 
duced more than 5,100 
kits in 1995, and kits put 
to}>ether so far this year 
will he shipped overseas in 
late April from the 
Brethren Service Center. 
New W indsor. \1d. 



I he /im> page:- include iinvi of CIninii of ilic 
Hrclhrcn organizations and nu-nihm. and of 
organizalioiis and people of inleresi to or affdiated 
with the CInirch of the Brethrcit. Sews items are 
intended to inform — they do not necessarily 
represeiil ihe opiiuous of Mf:ssi MUK or the 
General Board, and slioidd not be considered to 
be an endorsement 



clothing, tood. and other supiilies to 
peo|ile in dexelojiing and war-torn 
countries in 1QQ5. celebrates its 50th 
anniversary this month. 

The Church ol the Brethren will 
commemorate the anniversary at the 
World Ministries Commission Dinner 
this summer at Annual Conlerence. 
Former CWS executive Ronald Sten- 
ning will he the featured speaker. 

The commemoration of the anniver- 
sary will honor not only CWS's cur- 
rent ellorls. in which the Church ol 
the Brethren pailici|iates. but also the 
fact that the Church of the Brethren 
has been in\ol\ed with CWS since its 
inception, during the first week ol 
May IQTb. 

It began after M.R. Ziglcr, e\ecuti\e 
secretary of the Brethren Ser\ice 
Committee, and others supported the 
concept o\ denominations working 
together through the NCC (known at 
that lime as the Federal Council of 
Churches) to start a program that 



would assist in the delivering of relief 
supplies to those in need around the 
world. This program integrated the 
Church Committee on Overseas i^elief 
and Rehabiliation of the Federal 
Council, the Church Committee on 
Relief in Asia, and the World Service 
Committee o\' the World Council of 
(.lunches. The Church of the Brethren 
was represented at that meeting, and, 
according to the Brethren Encyclope- 
dia, was instrumental in its formation. 

The Church of the Brethren also was 
instrumental by providing the Brethren 
Service Center, New Windsor. Md.. 
facilities for CWS material aid pro- 
cessing. 

Christian Ruial Overseas Program 
(CRC^P) began as a CWS program in 
July IQ47, another program Zigler 
helped create. Current CWS initiatives 
Brethren are involved with include 
One Great Hour of Sharing, Blanket 
Sunday, and "Gifts of the Heart" kits. 

CWS' 50th anniversary festivities 
were kicked off in April when the NCC 
met in Charlotte. N.C. Other events 
are scheduled throughout the year and 
will conclude November 15-15. when 
the NCC General Assembly meets in 
Chicago. — Howard Wvwr and P\i la 
Wilding 



June 1 scheduled as national 
day to celebrate children 

A day ot celebration in honor ol chil- 
dren is scheduled for |une 1, with a 
program titled "Stand for Children: \ 
National Day of Commitment to 
Children." scheduled at the Lincoln 
Memorial. Washington. D.C. The day 
is intended to be one ol spiritual and 
communit) renewal and moral com- 
mitment to children. It will not be a 
partisan political event, according to 
Marian Wright Edelman of the Chil- 
dren's Defense Fund, organizer of the 
event. 

Donald Miller. Church of the Breth- 
ren general secretary, has endorsed the 
special day, saying, "The time in which 



6 Messenger M;iv IQQb 



we live has become increasingly un- 
friendly to children, and the church 
should be a leader in objecting to the 
violence, abuse, neglect, and poverty 
that so many children are experienc- 
ing." Miller added that he encourages 
Brethren and others to attend the 
Lincoln Memorial event, or for indi- 
viduals and congregations to find 
other ways to support children within 

i church settings, in communities, and 

j across the nation. 

' For more information about the 
Washington, D.C. event or for re- 
sources, contact Amanda Vender at the 
Church of the Brethren Washington 
Office, (202) 546-5202. 



NCC-produced documentaries 
to be aired on networl( TV 

"Restoring lustice." the first of three 
documentaries intended for network 
broadcast by the National Council of 
Churches (NCC), is scheduled to air 
in late May or early June by NBC affil- 
iates that decide to broadcast it. 

This program — as well as the other 
two — are produced for the NCC by 
the Presbyterian Church (USA). 

"Restoring justice" will present a 
successful solution on how to effec- 
tively deal with crime and punishment 
through restorative justice, which is "a 
community -based approach that seeks 
to restore the victim through the of- 
fender's confrontation with the conse- 
quences of his or her crime," accord- 
ing to an NCC release. 

Topics of the other two documen- 
taries that will be offered to network 
affiliates include violence against chil- 
dren (late September, ABC affiliates) 
and "Reaching Out to Refugees" 
(October, CBS affiliates). 

These three programs are part of the 
"Horizons of the Spirit" scries, pre- 
sented by the Interfaith Broadcasting 
Commission, of which the NCC is a 
member. Call your local affiliates to 
see if the programs will be shown in 
your area. 




June Adams Gibble conducts one of the meeting sessions with members 
of the People of the Covenant planning team in February at the 
Church of the Brethren General Offices. Shown are Christina Bucher, 
Frank Ramirez, and Cathy Myers Wirt. Members not shown are J.O. 
Williams and Gary Wilde. The group meets twice annually to plan the 
People of the Covenant series. 



New POC titles discussed, 
planned for '96-97 release 

The People of the Covenant Plan- 
ning and Management team met 
February 25-27 to continue work 
on three Bible studies that are ex- 
pected to be released during the 
1996-1997 school year. 

Those studies are A Spirituality of 
Compassion by Harriet Finney and 
Suzanne Martin, Esther by Eugene 
Roop, and Paul's Prison Letters by 
LaTaunya By num. 

People of the Covenant (POC) 
was started by the Church of the 
Brethren in 1982, in response to the 
perceived calling by Brethren for 
small group Bible study and spiritual 
growth resources. In addition to 
leading to the study of selected 
books of the Bible, POC resources 
also include suggestions for group 
sharing and prayer. 



loining the Brethren with POC in 
the late 1980s was the Christian 
Church (Disciples of Christ). So far 
the program has involved over 4,000 
Brethren and 8,000 Disciples. Ad- 
ditional Brethren. Disciples, and 
other ecumenical groups and organi- 
zations also use POC's resources in 
Sunday school classes and Bible 
study groups. 

Current POC books include Wis- 
dom by Chris Bowman, The Gospel 
of Mark by Frank Ramirez, and Bib- 
lical Imagery for God by Christina 
Bucher. 

|une Adams Gibble, director of 
Congregational Nurture and Wor- 
ship for the General Board, and who 
coordinates the work of this team, 
said future POC studies will address 
calling: living beyond racism; hymns 
and songs in the Bible; and the 
books of Daniel, Amos and Hosea, 
and Romans. — Nevin Dul'^baum 



May \'^^b Mi;ssciigcr 7 



v«> 



Brethren recognized for their 
advocacy against tobacco 

The White lloiLsc on March 20 hosted 
a reception tor organizations tliat sujv 
port Presiiienl Clinton's proposctl 
hood and Hiug .\diiiinisti-ation regula- 
tions that would I'cduce access to 
tobacco pi'oducts by children and \outh. 
and would reduce li'bacco advertising 
and promotion directed at adolescents. 
Tim Mclilwee. director ol the Church 
ol the Bi'ethren Washington OlTice. 
attended the e\enl and spoke to 
Clinton following the reception. 

In recognition lor his "unprecedent- 
ed leadership in the fight against the 
use of tobacco b\ children and teens." 
the Coalition on Smoking OR Health 
awarded Clinton the first .Mike S\nar 



National Public Service .Award. I he 
Coalition — a cooperati\'e effort of the 
.•\merican Cancer Society, the Amer- 
ican Heart .Association, and the .Amer- 
ican l.ung .Association — named the 
award afier the former congressman 
who. prior to his death in January, led 
numerous ellorts pertaining to tobac- 
co-related health concerns. 

Ill I'-TSl. .Annual Conference adopt- 
ed a statement that asks the church to 
"de\elop education and action pro- 
grams to present its witness against 
the raising of tobacco as an agricultur- 
al crop, its subsidization by the federal 
go\ernment. its public sale, and its use 
as a dangerous and habit-forming 
drug." 

The need for Brethren and others to 
lollow that directive is obvious, said 



McElwee. who cited these statistics: 

• r.ach day 3,000 children and 
youth start smoking; 82 percent of 
adult smokers had their first cigarette 
belore they were 18. 

• Tobacco use results in more than 
420,000 deaths in US each year, more 
than the combined deaths due to alco- 
hol, motor vehicles, .AIDS, homicides, 
suicides, illegal drug use, and fires, 
according to the US Centers for 
Disease Control. 

• An astounding 8b percent of youth 
who smoke prefer three brands of cig- 
arettes, each which relies on advertise- 
ments that portray images of strength, 
beauty, and popularity. 

McElwee urges Brethren to contact 
their members of Congress in support 
of the proposed regulations. 



Seven congregations in five districts have signed up to spon- 
sor people who will serve as accompaniers in Guatamala. Those 
congregations are Plumcreek (Shelocta, Pa.), Western Pa.; Highland 
Avenue (Elgin. 111.) and Naperville (111.), Illinois/Wisconsin; Lorida 
(Fla.), Atlantic Southeast; University Park (Hyattsville, Md.) and 
Westminster (Md.). Mid-Atlantic; and Ivester (Grundy Center, Iowa), 
Northern Plains. Ivester is sponsoring Kay Yanisch, the second 
accompanierto be sponsored by a Church of the Brethren congre- 
gation (see March, page 10). She was scheduled to arrive in 
Guatamala on April 10. 

Graydon Snyder, a member of Chicago First Church of the Brethren 
and professor at Chicago Theological Seminary announced his 
retirement as professor of New Testament, effective June 30. 

Last year, Snyder submitted a libel suit against the seminary, cit- 
ing defamation of character after the seminary sent a memo to its 
faculty and students concerning a sexual harrassment suit filed 
against Snyder by a female student. 

"Concurrent with this (retirement) announcement, the lawsuit 
pending against the seminary has been dismissed," reads the press 
release. Snyder will continue teaching part time at the seminary 
and the seminary will institute a scholarship in his name. 

National Older Adult Conference is scheduled for September 2-6, 
in Lake Junaluska. N.C. NOAC is held every two years and is for 
adults over 50. Registration information is available from the 
Association of Brethren Caregivers, (800) 323-8039. Housing and 
meal reservations can be made by calling (800) 222-4930. 

8 Messenger May 1996 



A retreat for families coping with mental illness is scheduled for 
May 10-12 in Sturgis. Mich. Jim Kinsey, district executive of 
Michigan District and co-director of Ministry will serve as a 
resource leader. Information on the retreat which is sponsored by 
the Christian Reformed Church and Mennonite Mutual Aid, is avail- 
able by calling MMA at (800) 348-7468. 

Over $50,000 was granted through the Emergency Disaster Fund 
(EDF) in March. Flooding in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states 
prompted a $30,000 EDF grant. The funds will be allocated to the 
Disaster Response and Cooperative Disaster Child Care programs 
helping in the effected areas. 

A grant of $10,000 was made in response to a February earth- 
quake in China. Another $10,000 was allocated to Church of the 
Brethren child care centers in Washington and Oregon that were set 
up in response to recent flooding. A grant of $3,000 was made to 
Haitian sugar workers in the Dominican Republic. 

Four young adults tiave been cliosen to serve as this sum- 
mer's conflict resolution trainers at two Church of the Brethren 
camps, a program sponsored by On Earth Peace Assembly 

The four— Jeff Brehmeyer, La Verne, Calif; Lorna Sands, 
Williamsport, Pa.; Jacki Hartley Lewistown, Pa.; and Emma Webb, 
Olathe. Kan. — will train for a week in early June, and then spend the 
summer at Shepherd's Springs Outdoor Ministries Center (Mid-At- 
lantic District) and at Camp Blue Diamond, Middle Pennsylvania District. 

Along with providing leadership, the four also will serve as camp 
counselors and will assume other responsibilities as needed. 



t 



I 



Ma 



Cincinnati 3i 
Annual Conference 



From the Queen City of 

the South to the Queen City of 

the Midwest shifts the 

collective focus of Brethren, 

as Cincinnati will host the 

Church of the Brethren's 210th 

Annual Conference, July 2-7. 



*itiK** 



<Pmp>«^ m_ 



Returning to Queen City of the Midwest 
for the first time in nine years, the 5,000 
delegates and attendees expected to par- 
ticipate in worship, business, and fellowship during 
Annual Conference 1996 in Cincinnati will be led 
by Moderator Fred Bernhard. 

Fred, pastor of Oakland Church of the 
Brethren, Gettysburg. Ohio, will have the honor of 
moderating in his own Southern Ohio district, 
just as ludy Mills Reimer moderated last year's 
Conference in Charlotte, N.C. — the Queen City 
I of the South — in her home district of Virlina. 

Serving as moderator-elect will be David 
Wine, president of Mutual Aid Association, and 
member of Buckeye Church of the Brethren, near 
Abilene, Kan. 

This year's theme, ". . . as Christ welcomed 
you," is based on Romans 15:7. and is taken from 
Fred's personal crusade to increase hospitality 
throughout the denomination. 

Business sessions, worship, displays, booths, 
and other activities will be held in the Cincinnati 



a«B««ate,- 



Conference Center, which last hosted Annual 
Conference in 1987. 

Nine new business items and eight unfinished 
business items will comprise the business agenda. 
A focus on one of the key returning business 
items — ministerial leadership — begins our preview 
with an article by Robert Faus. Included with that 
are brief summaries of all other business items. 

Paula 'Wilding then presents a myriad of infor- 
mation detailing everything from what will happen 
to where people can stay. 

Two history lessons conclude the preview. 
David Filer writes about the founder of numerous 
Brethren congregations in Virginia, Indiana, and of 
course. Southern Ohio; James Tomlonson 
describes the Church of the Brethren's 200-year 
history in the Cincinnati area. 

So glean all the information you can from this 
preview and we'll see you in Cincinnati. If you 
can't make it in person, check out the preview to 
see how you can be involved each day by phone, 
fax, or e-mail. — Ne\in Dulabaum 



^ r 



Phil Gn 



Fireworks will 
light up the 
Cincinnati sky- 
line on the 
evening of July 
4. as they did 
in 1987. when 
Annual Confer- 
ence was last 
held in the 
Queen City. 



Mav 1 99b MessL-iigiT 9 



a 



^ 



M 



Ik 



Con 
Bus 



^ERENCE 

NESS 



Mew Business 



Atlantic Northeast District originated 
the Congregational Structure 
query after an appointed task com- 
mittee concluded that all congrega- 
tions cannot fit into the present 
denominational structure system. 
According to District Executive Allen 
Hansell, the committee found that 
the current structure is "not flexible 
enough with a board and three 
commissions," and "ministry issues 
should mold ministry teams," not 
vice versa, as is done in the current 
structure. 

Hansell added that Annual Confer- 
ence has not addressed the issue of 
congregational structure in more 
than 30 years. 



Northern Indiana District will send 
How Christian Faith Should be 
Expressed in the Political Process, 

a query that originated in a Crest 
Manor Church of the Brethren, South 
Bend, Ind., Sunday school class. The 
class determined that the church's 
involvement in politics is an issue 
for denominational study. 

According to District Executive 
Herman Kauffman, the concern is 
over various groups taking a politi- 
cal stance in the name of the church. 



The New Testament as our Rule of 
Faith and Practice, a query from 
the Middle Pennsylvania Distria 
Board, questions the recurring issues 
that have come to Conference in 
recent years concerning "this basic 
denominational tenet," said District 
Executive Randall Yoder. The query 
asks Annual Conference for "a state- 
ment of interpretation on our under- 
standing of the New Testament." 

10 Messenger May l^Qb 



Who will fil 



Ministerial Leadership to| 



by Robert Faus 



An c.\aniination oi .'\nmial 
Cemlercnce minutes lor at 
least tlic past ^0 years reveals 
k a Iroultling eycle. About 
every li\e \ears or so. major issues 
regarding ministry in the Chureh of the 
Brethren have eome to Conferenee dele- 
gates lor consideration. Brethren, it 
seems, are ne\er linished working on 
ministry issues and problems. And while 
these issues emerged from particular 
needs or dilfieulties somewhere within the 
ehureh. they ha\e not always been distinct 
and different. In Fact, the same or similar 
issues have kept coming back. Both liie 
repetitiveness ol persistently uniesolved 
issues and the regularity ^^^^^ 

t.>l ministry matters com- 
ing to Conlerence are 
striking features of these 
past cycles. 

So it was not without 
reason that Annual Con- 
lerence in 1 QQU handed 
over to its Committee on 
Ministerial Leadership a 
set ol six mandates that 
were so com|irehensive in 
their scope that one mes- 
sage seemed clear: It is 
time to look at the ministry 
of the church as a whole as ^^^^^ 

well as in parts. 

Ihe resulting committee report, which 
will come before the delegates this summer 
in Cincinnati, is extensive and comprehen- 
sive, addressing particular problems, but 
within the context of the ministry system 
of the church. 

It will not be without its critics. In fact, 
some who read an early draft of the report 
were quick to respond: too much, too 
complicated, too many recommendations, 
especially in this time of revisioning and 
downsizing. Yet the committee has been 



attempting to be responsive 
to the task it was given, if 
the result is formidable, the 
charge given the commit- 
tee also was formidable. 

The stresses in the 
church's ministry sys- 
tem are widespread. A 
sampling of them will help 
show not only the diversity 
of the issues, but the appro- 
jiriateness and timeliness of 
dealing with them as a whole 
as well as in parts. 

Any analysis of ministry in the 
church is hampered by what the 
committee perceived as an inade- 
quate record-keeping plan. Some 
of the data con- 



cerning ministers 
is gathered and 
maintained in district 
offices, some in the 
denominational min- 
istry oirice. and some 
in the yearbook office. 
But it is not complete; 
nor is it maintained 
systematically. 

As a result, informa- 
tion about ministers is 
scattered, partial, and 
unreliable. The com- 
^■■^■^■■H niittee was left with the 

need to use such infor- 
mation as it was. along with impressions 
and stories from representative groups 
and individuals throughout the church. 
In the change from the free ministry to 
the pastoral ministry — primarily in the 20th 
century — congregations have become re- 
sponders to people who have volunteered 
lor the ministry, rather than initiators ol 
calls, even though historically, volunteei-s 
for the ministry were frowned upon. To be 
sui-e. pastors and other church leaders have 
represented the church when they encour- 



Training programs 
for ministry have 
increased, but the 

number of 
students in all of 
them together is 

fewer than 

needed to provide 

for current 

pastoral needs. 



mr pulpits? 

jinual Conference agenda 



M 



mm 



aged individuals to consid- 
er the ministry. But con- 
gregations as congrega- 
tions are initiating calls 
to fewer people for the 
ministry than they 
have in the past, in 
fact, when congrega- 
tions now use the term 
"calling." they mostly 
refer to the process of 
calling pastors. 
Licensing and ordina- 
tion are official steps on 
the pathway to pastoral 
ministry, as well as to a few 
other particular ministries. 
Since 1975. however, ordina- 
tion has become job-specific 
and functional, even though a 
1985 Annual Conference paper 
on ministry asked the church to find a 
clearer balance in ordination between who 
one is and what one does. 

The authority for licensing and ordaining 
has been given by the church to the dis- 
tricts, through their ministry commissions 
and boards. Districts license and ordain, 
not just for their own districts, but for the 
whole church. Yet there are some differ- 
ences in the expectations that districts have 
of their candidates, and a ^^^^^^ 

few districts are on the 
verge of re-examining 
ministers previously 
ordained by other dis- 
tricts. On the other 
hand, the church is not 
likely to approve a sys- 
tem which imposes uni- 
form standards on dis- 
trict boards and ministry 
commissions from above 
or from the outside. ^^^^^^ 

Training programs for 
ministry have increased, but the number ol 
students in all of them together is fewer 



than needed to provide for current pastoral 
needs. And the shortage of pastors for cer- 
tain particular settings is acute: large mem- 
bership congregations, bivocationai min- 
istries in small congregations, new church 
starts and emerging congregations, and 
short-term leadership for conflicted con- 
gregations. 

Yet, in spite o^ these shortages, the 
church has difficulty placing women and 
racial or ethnic pastors, even when they 
have satisfied educational and credential- 
ing processes. 

An increasing number of congregations 
are struggling or unable to sustain full- 
time pastoral programs. Or worse, con- 
gregations will claim to be supporting 
full-time pastors, but otter less than ade- 
quate support packages. Small congrega- 
tions do not like to yoke with other 
Church of the Brethren congregations or 
with non- Brethren congregations very 
well. They like to have their own pastors. 



The 
pa 
ha 



In less than a 

century, our church 

changed its entire 

ministry system. In 

light of such 

dramatic change, 

we have managed 

fairly well. 



e stresses in pastoral ministry, for 
pastors and for pastoral families, 
have seldom seemed higher. Minis- 
tering to the diversity within congrega- 
tional memberships, trying to meet high 
expectations for satisfying congregational 
^^^^^ goals — like church 

growth and increased 
giving — and serving as 
lightning rods, if not the 
focal points, tor congre- 
gational stresses all take 
their toll. Too many pas- 
tors, ettective ones in- 
cluded, leave the pastoral 
ministry. Some return in 
time, some never return. 
For many different rea- 
^^^^^ sons, a steady stream oi 

congregations are finding 
pastoral leadership from outside the 
Church of the Brethren. When these min- 



ENCE 
ESS 



Denominational Polity: Property 
and Stewardship Issues, a query 
from Pacific Southwest District, orig- 
inated from the district board. It 
concerns a property issue between 
the district and a congregation. The 
query asks Annual Conference to 
"define what means districts may 
use to preserve real congregational 
assets for the denomination," and 
to clarify the discrepancies in 
denominational polity on property 
and stewardship. 



In the query World Mission philoso- 
phy and Global Structure, Virlina 
District asks that Annual Conference 
determine district responsibilities with 
congregations outside the US, define 
set-apart ministry and calling in other 
countnes, and develop a better sys- 
tem to include these congregations in 
the actions of Annual Conference. 



The Ethics in Ministry Relations 

statement revision was initiated by 
Standing Committee after Conference 
adopted the paper in 1992. The 
paper has been revised and expand- 
ed, especially in the area dealing with 
allegations of sexual misconduct. The 
final report will be brought to Stand- 
ing Committee and, if approved, to 
Annual Conference delegates. 



Originating from the 1995 Christian 
Citizenship Seminar, the Statement 
on Child Exploitation received 
General Board approval in March 
and is being sent to Annual Confer- 
ence with the recommendation that 
it become a study paper for one 
year, returning in 1997 for final ap- 
proval. The paper deals with ethical 
behavior of multinational corpora- 
tions, and consumers who buy 

Mav IQQb Messenger 11 



^ 



i^ 



\k 



Con 
Bus 



FERENCE 

NESS 



goods made by children from devel- 
oping countries. 



The General Board will send Guide- 
lines for Developing and Recom- 
mending Curriculum in the Church 
of the Brethren. If approved by 
Conference, the guidelines will be 
available for use throughout the 
denomination. The last set of guide- 
lines were approved by the 1986 
Annual Conference. 



A proposed change in the Church of 
the Brethren Pastors' Insurance 
Package will be brought by the 
Annual Conference Pastoral Com- 
pensation and Benefits Advisory 
Committee. The committee recom- 
mends that the maximum Life and 
Accidental Death and Dismember- 
ment benefit be increased from 
540,000 to 550,000. 



Returning Business 



The Simple Life Study Committee 
will present its paper to Conference 
delegates. The committee, which 
was named at the 1994 Annual 
Conference, was chosen to "study 
ways to re-emphasize the Brethren 
tradition of the simple life and to 
discern its full meaning in our time." 

The final draft from the Congre- 
gational Ethics Study Committee 
will be presented to delegates. The 
paper, which grew out of the 1992 
"Ethics in Ministry Relations" state- 
ment, reviews the ethical guidelines 
of congregations in such areas as 
church responsibilities to its pastors 
and the denomination at large. 



The General Board will present its 
paper on Nonviolence and Human- 
itarian Intervention for final appro- 



isters bring their ordination.s to be recog- 
nized by the Brethren, exiieetations for 
them \ary grealK' from district to district, 
f'ar too many ministers who have come in 
from other denominations or religious 
bodies ha\e little knowledge or interest in 
the Church of the Brethren and receive lit 
tic help or orientation along ^^^^ 

the uay. 

Conflicts between pastors 
and congregations continue 
to plague the church, in 
spite of all that has been 
learned about the dangers 
of unresoKed long-term 
congregational divisions, 
pastoral and congregational 
sell-awareness in both iden- '""'^^" 

tity and leadership styles, 
and the need to mediate differences in the 
interests of health and wholeness. 

At this point in the limited litany of 
stresses within the Brethren ministry sys- 
tem, one could easily conclude that there 
is vei-y little good news. That is not so. 
There is good news, but it begins by 
addressing the issues as a whole, not as 



indi\idual parts. 

It is imporlani to remember that the 
Church of the Brethren changed its entire 
ministry system in less than a hundred 
years. That includes the way ministers 
were called, where they served, and how 
ministry was overseen, in light of such 
^^^^^^^^^ dramatic change. 

the church has man- 
aged fairly well. But, 
in light of the above 
evidence, the time 
may be right to take 
stock. 

The chui-ch can- 
not go back to a 
former day or a pre- 
^^^^^^^^^" vious system of 

ministry, no matter 
how much some would like to do so. But 
the church can ask, as the i^eadership 
Committee has done, "What has been lost 
in the changes which have taken place, 
and can steps be taken to remedy some of 
the losses?" 

The committee's strongest conviction is 
that ministry and leadership issues are 



How can we fashion 

and develop 
cooperative means 

for addressing 

ministry issues as 

they emerge? 




Ministerial statistic 



Though the Committee on Ministerial 
Leadership has conducted its study over 
the past si.x years, much of the informa- 
tion it has used to form its conclusions 
has been anecdotal. 

in |une 1995, lames Kinsey, the 
General Board's co-director for Ministry 
and Michigan District executive, did com- 
pile some stats, which underline the con- 
cern for ministerial leadership issues 
within the Church of the Brethren: 

• In June 1995. there were 1,127 wor- 
shiping "units" in the denomination — 
1.077 churches. 45 fellowships, and five 
projects. 

• There were 1,12b pastors listed in 



the Church of the Brethren yearbook — 
461 full-time, 265 part-time, and 400 
with no information regar'ding full- or 
part-time employment. 

• Ordained ministers who will be of 
retir-ement age in the ne.xt five years — 276. 

• Forty-eight churches with full-time 
pastoral vacancies had a pool of 40 can- 
didates in the pastoral placement file from 
which to choose. 

• Twenty-six churches were seeking 
part-time pastors, with less than that 
number seeking employment through the 
placement system. 

• Eleven churches were seeking second 
staff people, though the placement system 



12 Messenger May 1996 



whole church concerns. They cannot only 
be issues for congregations, the 25 dis- 
tricts. Bethany Theological Seminary, the 
General Board, or whoever else might be 
designated to handle them. 

That is, in part, why the committee 
urged, and the delegates at the 1995 
Annual Conference agreed, to highlight 
ministry and leadership development for 
special attention over the next five years. 
That means ministry is a priority for the 
denomination — all members, congrega- 
tions, and agencies of the church. 

The church has been at its most effec- 
tive in handling ministry matters when 
people, groups, and agencies have collab- 
orated or served in partnership. Such 
partnership has been very much a part of 
the development of the Education for a 
Shared Ministry and TRaining in Minis- 
try programs, where districts, the five 
Brethren colleges and one university, the 
seminary, and the General Board served 
as partners on the Ministry Training 
Council. But partnerships like that one 
should become the norm rather than the 
rare example, and should extend to 



include congregations and congregational 
leaders. 

A whole ministry system for the whole 
church will mean many things. It will 
mean that discernment of gifts, encour- 
agement of those with leadership abilities, 
initiating calls to ministry, and supporting 
leadership will be normal and expected 
activities in congregations. 

It will mean that the whole church — 
individuals and agencies — will have a 
clearer vision of the way that the 
church's ministry system works. The 
overriding concern will be, "What is my 
(tor the individual) or our (for agencies 
and instrumentalities of the church) part 
in that system?" And then, "How can we 
fashion and develop cooperative means 
for addressing ministry issues as they 
emerge?" 

The challenge of the Committee on 
Ministerial Leadership will be before the 
delegates: In considering ministry, it is 
time to address the whole, as well I Ai 
as the parts. ^ ! 



Robert Ftiiis senvd as staff to the Committee on 
Ministerial Leadersliip. He resides in Rieliiiioiid. hid 



nderline concerns 



I only occasionally has such candidates. 

I • Only 1 5 Church of the Brethren 
members were expected to receive their 
Master's of Divinity degrees this year; six 
from Bethany Theological Seminary and 
seven from non-Brethren seminaries. Of 
those. 10-12 are expected to seek pas- 
toral placement. However. Fans believes 
the denomination needs a minimum of 1 5 
graduates each year to keep the place- 
ment system in balance. 

• Eight people graduated from TRain- 
ing in Ministry in 1995; seven are expect- 
ed this year. Five people graduated from 
Education For a Shared Ministry in 1995; 
two are expected this year, which was 



cited as a trend, as fewer congregations 
have been applying for EFSM training. 

• Fifteen to 25 percent of Brethren pas- 
tors come from non- Brethren backgrounds. 

• There has been no standardization 
process for pastors who are not trained in 
seminaries, who do not have Brethren 
backgrounds, or who have been out of 
the pastorate for a long time. 

• There has been no process for deter- 
mining minimum competency guide- 
lines. — NhVIN DUL7\BAUM 

Tliis iiiformatioit ii'i/s gleaned from doetimeiits 
obtained from the Yearbook. Ministry, and Minisliy 
Traiiting offices, district offices, and Bethany 
Theological Seminary. 




CONFEB 
BUS] 



ENCE 

iNESS 



val. The paper, which was a congre- 
gational study document during the 
past year, questions the use of 
armed forces to deliver humanitarian 
aid. According to Tim McElwee, 
director of the Washington Office, 
this business item is "an example of 
a paper that had its origin from con- 
gregational inquiries." 



The final draft of the End of Life 
Decision-Making statement will be 
submitted to Conference delegates 
by the General Board. The paper 
includes last year's query on 
"Assisted Suicide." 

Although this statement began as 
a rewrite of the 1975 Annual Con- 
ference "Life Stewardship" paper, 
the committee instead chose to pre- 
sent a brief faith statement because 
"so much has happened with 'end- 
of-life' issues since 1975." Thus, a 
rewrite of an existing paper seemed 
insufficient, the committee said. 



A progress report on the Office of 
Deacon statement will be given by 
the drafting committee as it aims to 
bring recommendations to the 1997 
Conference. The committee's work 
centers on reviewing and updating 
the 1983 statement on the Office of 
Deacon. 



The study committee on Human 
Genetic Engineering and Fetal 
Tissue Use will give a report of its 
review of the 1987 statement as it 
prepares for its final report in 1997. 



The Review and Evaluation Com- 
mittee will give its interim report, 
and will return to the 1997 Annual 
Conference with its final evaluation. 
The five-member committee has 
spent its first year reviewing the 
General Board and its programs. 
— Paula Wilding 



May 199b Messenger 13 



M 



rk 



i^m What, where, and when 



Con 

I NFC 



FERENCE 
RMATION 



Candidates for 
Moderator-elect 




Clyde Caner 




Herbert hisher 




liiuniY Rosf 




Dunna lorbes Siciner 



by Paula Wilding 
Candidates for moderator-elect 

Clyde Carter. bO. of Dalcville. \'a. (Viilina 
District), is a mciniicr of Williamson Road 
Churcii of tiic Brethfen. He is a retired 
pastor, and has been active on the local 
and district le\els. He has served as a 
Brethren \olunteer Service worker and 
trainer and camp volunteer. He has served 
on Annual Conlerence Standing Commit- 
tee, on a task group on Conditions of 
Childhood, and as Conference time keep- 
er. He also has served as a community 
mediator, state magistrate, state emer- 
gency foster care volunteer, and has par- 
ticipated with a local clergy group and 
with a conflict resolution center. 

His vision is "that individuals choose to 
participate in group worship with other 
people who are both similar and differ- 
ent." His priority is "to nurture one 
another while we witness to the world." 

Herbert Fisher. 75. of Mountain Grove. 
Mo. (Missouri .'Xrkansas). is a member of 
Cabool Church of the Brethren. He is a 
retired pastor and former General Board 
pkinned giving otficer. He has served in 
several congregational and district posi- 
tions and as an EFSM' TRIM supervisor, 
camp counselor, and a chaplaincv agency 
officer. He has served at a conference on 
hunger and malnutrition, and has partici- 
pated with CROP walks, a service club, 
and a state council ol churches. 

His vision is "to see the Church of the 
Brethren affirm and strengthen the life of 
the local church w ith a sense of mission 
that encompasses the globe." His priority 
is "to develop leadership, both lay and 
clergy, at all levels of denominational life." 

limmy Ross, 60, of Lititz. Pa. (Atlantic 
Northeast), is pastor of Lititz Church of 
the Brethren. He has served in several dis- 
trict positions and as an .Annual Confer- 
ence speaker and song leader. He has 
served on .Annual Conference Standing 
Committee and Norninating Committee, 
and on a worship committee. He also 
has served on a hvninal council, a college 



board of trustees, and a Bethany Theo- 
logical Seminary presidential search com- 
mittee. 

His vision is "that the Church of the 
Brethren will continue to emphasize radi- 
cal disciplcship while maintaining a 
strong unity in Christ as Lord and 
Savior." His priority is "to answer the 
question: 'What is God calling the 
Church of the Brethren to be and to do as 
part of the body of Christ?'" 

Donna Forbes Steiner. 58. of Union 
Bridge. Md. (Mid-Atlantic), is a member of 
Union Bridge Church of the Brethren and 
a ministry consultant. She has served in 
several congregational and district positions 
and as an .Annual Conference speaker and 
General Board member. She has served on 
a ministry training council, church school 
curriculum council, continuing education 
committee, as a hospital chaplain, and on a 
public education study team. 

Her vision is "that we strive individually 
and corporately to become who we claim 
to be — disciples of Christ lesus." Her pri- 
ority is "to speak and serve as a leader 
with integrity while embracing diversity to 
meet the challenges of the 21st century." 



Annual Conference ballot 

In the meetings prior to Annual Con- 
ference, Standing Committee will 
select half of the nominees on the bal- 
lot for election by Annual Conference 
delegates. 

Annual Conference Program and 
Arrangements: Darlene Bucher, North 
Manchester, Ind,; David Fastis, 
Warsaw, hid.; Ginny Dupras HoUis, 
Modesto, Calif.; Peter Kaltenbaugh jr., 
Mogadore. Ohio. 

General Board. At-large: Isabel 
Figueroa, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; 
Marie Fortney Hamilton, State College, 
Pa.; Wayne judd, Elizabethtown, Pa.; 
Kreston Lipscomb, Springfield, 111.; 
Paul Myers, Fostoria, Ohio; Sue Sap- 
penfield Overman, Morgantown, W.Va.; 



14 .Messenger Mav lOQb 



. . . as 

Ch rist 
^ welcomed 




The Annual Conference 
logo representing the 
theme "...as Christ 
welcomed you " was { 
designed by Nina I 

Roher, a member of 
York Center Church 
of the Brethren, 
Lombard, III. 



Pre-Conference events 

Standing Committee will hold its meet- 
ings Saturday evening through Tuesday 
noon at the Regal Hotel. 

The General Board will meet Tuesday 
at the Convention Center. The Board's 
Goals and Budget Committee will meet on 
Saturday, and its Exeeutive Committee on 
Sunday, also at the Convention Center. 

"Re-Forming the Family — Living with 
Paradox" is seheduled for Tuesday at the 
Regal Hotel. The seminar will feature 
Herbert Anderson of Union Catholic 
Theological Seminary, and is sponsored 
by Family Ministries, Association of 
Brethren Caregivers, Program for Women, 
and Ministry of Reconciliation. 

"Managing Church Conflict," a confer- 
ence sponsored by the Ministers Asso- 



Kurt Snyder, Roann, Ind.; Marie Hoover 
Willoughby, Copemish, Mich. 

Mid-Atlantic District: Linda Prey 
Barkdoll, Hagerstown, Md.; Warren 
Kissinger, Hyattsville, Md.; Paul Reid, 
I Hagerstown, Md.; Paul Wampler, 
Manassas, Va. 

Southern Ohio District: Ronald 
I Fleming, Columbus, Ohio; Dorla Kinsey 
Morgan, Dayton, Ohio; Mary Jo Flory 
Steury, Kettering, Ohio; Dwayne Yost, 
Manchester, Ky, 

Virlina District: David Miller, Roa- 
noke, Va.; Anne Murray Reid, Roanoke, 
Va.; Ronald Sink, Blue Ridge, Va.; Owen 
Stultz, Roanoke, Va. 

Pastoral Compensation and Benefits: 
Carol Bowers, Seattle, Wash.; Colleen 
Michael, Wenatchee, Wash.; Peggy Deal 
Redman, La Verne, Calif; Karen 



ciation, will be held from Monday 
evening until Tuesday afternoon at 
the Convention Center. Hugh 
Halverstadt, professor of Ministry 
at McCormick Theological Seminary 

and author of Maiuigiiig Church CoiijJict. 
will be the featured speaker. 

A New Church Development seminar 
is scheduled for Monday afternoon 
through Tuesday afternoon at the Con- 
vention Center. The seminar, sponsored 
by the New Church Development Office, 
will feature author Steve Sjogren. 

A two-day conference will be held for 
those interested or involved in Brethren 
Homes, scheduled for Sunday afternoon 
through Monday afternoon. David 
Scruggs will be the featured speaker. 

An Association of Brethren Caregivers 
meeting and reception is scheduled for 
Monday, 7 p.m., in the Convention Center. 

First-time Conference delegates and 
attendees orientation, led by Moderator- 
elect David Wine, is scheduled for Tues- 
day, 5:50-5 p.m., at the Regal Hotel. 

Day of Intercessory Prayer is sched- 
uled for Tuesday, 2:50-4:50 p.m., at the 
Convention Center. 



Schmidt, Prairie City, Iowa. 

Interchurch Relations: Ernest Barr, 
Carmel, Ind.; Cheryl Cayford, Richmond, 
Ind.; Allen Deeter, North Manchester, 
Ind.; Harold Martin, York, Pa. 

Brethren Benefit Trust: Martha 
Beach, New Enterprise, Pa.; Wayne 
Fralin, Fremont, Calif.; Norman Harsh, 
Lorida, Fla.; Gail Morgan Habecker, 
Coatesville, Pa. 

Bethany Theological Seminary 
Elector. Representing colleges: Dorothy 
Lehman Hershberger (incumbent), 
Martinsburg, Pa.; Bill Puffenberger, Eliza- 
bethtown. Pa.; Phillip Stone, Bridgewater, 
Va.; Ronald Wyrick, Huntingdon, Pa. 

Representing laity: Floy Detwiler, 
Hagerstown, Ind.; Robert Kintner, 
Wenatchee, Wash.; Michael Leiter, 
Boalsburg, Pa,; lim Weaver, Shannon, HI. 



CONFERI 

Inform 



:nce 

\J\ON 



Transportation 
and housing 



The official headquarters hotel will 
be the Regal Cincinnati, but there are 
seven hotels within four miles of the 
Convention Center with which the 
Annual Conference office has made 
lodging arrangements. Prices begin 
at $42 per night in the outlying 
areas and reach about $90 per night 
across from the Convention Center 
University housing and camping also 
are available. 

Delta Airlines is offering airfare 
discounts. Call (800) 241-6760 and 
refer to file 11 102. 

Ground transportation between 
the airport and downtown Cincin- 
nati is provided by Jet Port Express 
motorcoach every half hour $15 per 
round trip. 



Conference information 
available all day 



From July 1-7, Newsline will feature 
daily updates from Annual Confer- 
ence, which will include information 
concerning business decisions, daily 
speakers, and events. 

The 24-hour phone service, which 
regularly provides weekly updates on 
Church of the Brethren news, can be 
accessed by calling (410) 635-8738. 

Brethren with fax access can re- 
quest Newsline by Fax by calling 
(800) 323-8039, ext. 257. 

Internet users can receive Newsline 
by contacting the General Board's 
Communications Department with a 
request to: COBNews@AOLcom. 

Along with Newsline, Internet 
users will receive each evening's 
sermon and the daily Conference 
Journal. 

Requests for Newsline by Fax or e- 
mail must be made by June 21. 



Mav HWO Messenger 15 




Fred Bcrnhard 



Robin Wcntwortli 
Maxcr 




l'c:c kdiioiluiuiih /I'Vi'c Sioh:liis 




Kichanl Schrcckhiic SiiilUird Frederick 



Leonardo ^^ ilhorn nill he 

leading a cross cultural 

choir that will perform on 

Saturday evening at 

Annual Conference. 



Worship 



Tuc>day evening: Fred Bcrnhard. Annual 
Conlcrcnce moderator and pastor of 
Oakland Church of the Brethren, Gellys- 
burg. Ohio, will preach on "O give me a 
home." David Wine, 1996 moderator- 
elect and president of Mutual Aid Asso- 
ciation, will lead worship. 

Wednesday evening: Robin Wentworth 
Mayer. Messhngfr columnist and pastor 
of Kokomo (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, 
will speak on "Come as you are." I^ob 
Kurtz, pastor oi Potsdam (Ohio) Church 



Music 

Congregational singing will begin 30 
minutes prior to each worship service. 
.'\ndrew Wright, pastor of New Carlisle 




oi' the Biethren. will lead vsorship. 

Thursday evening: The message by Pete 
Kaltenbaugh, pastor of Hartville (Ohio) 
Church of the Brethren, will be on "Who 
is welcome at the table?" Leading worship 
will be Mary lane and Tim Button- Harri- 
son, team pastors of .Ankeny (Iowa) 
Church of the Brethren. 

Friday evening: Bringing the message, 
"An honest welcome," will be |oyce 
Stoltzfus. pastor of Glade Valley Church 
of the Brethren, Walkersvillc. Md. jim 
Chinworth, pastor of Mountville (Pa.) 
Church of the Brethren, will lead worship. 



(Ohio) Church of the Brethren, will 
coordinate music. 

Terry McRoberts, lackson. Ind.. will 
be the conference organist, and Beth 
Bowman, Cambridge City, Ind., will be 
the conference pianist. 

The Annual Conference choir, which 
will sing at each service, will be directed 
by Michelle Grimm, Onekama, Mich, 
Choir rehearsal will be held daily from 
4:45-5:45 p.m. To participate in the 
choir, register through the Annual Con- 
ference office. 

Two Saturday evening concerts will 
be available to Conferencegoers. Glad. 
a gospel ensemble, will perform at 9 
p.m. in Halls A and B. Also at 9 p.m., a 
Southern Ohio District musical group 
will present songs from Rodgers and 
Hammerstein musicals in Ballroom B, 

Early evening concerts are scheduled 
in Ballroom B, 6-6:45 p.m., Wednesday 
through Saturday, 

Wednesday, Lee Krahenbiihl and 
David Frantz will perform acoustic folk 
music. Peg Lehman, a folk musician 
and storyteller will perform Thursday 
evening. Vocalist Frank Lethe Jr. will 
perform Friday evening. A cross-cultur- 
al choir directed by Leonardo Wilborn 
will perform on Saturday evening. 



16 Me.ssenger Mav IQQb 




Saturday evening: Richard Schreck- 
hise. pastor of Annville (Pa.) Church of 
the Brethren, will focus on "Someone's 
knockin' at the door" during his sermon. 
Elizabeth Kee, interim pastor of Coving- 
ton (Ohio) Church of the Brethren, will 
lead worship. 

Sunday morning: The message, "Living 
or dying, glorify God," will be given by 
Stafford Frederick, pastor of Olathe (Kan.) 
Church of the Brethren and a General 
Board member. Worship will be led by 
Keith Funk, pastor of East Chippewa 
Church of the Brethren, Orrville, Ohio. 



Special Events 



A Habitat for Humanity house will be 
built by Conferencegoers, June 29-July 5. 
Those wishing to participate must pre- 
register with the project by |une 1 . A 
youth workcamp will work on the house 
the week preceding Conference. 

Age-group activities will be offered 
throughout Conference. Groups holding 
activities include children (K-4), junior 
high, senior high, young adults, and sin- 
gle adults. 

Hearings on proposed General Board 
and Annual Conference statements and 
papers will be held in the Convention 
, Center from 9-10 p.m., Tuesday, on the 
I following: Simple Life. End of Life 
I Decision-Making, Ministerial Leadership, 
Nonviolence and Humanitarian Interven- 
tion, and Ethics for Congregations. 

A forum on the Pastoral Compensation 
' and Benefits Advisory Committee is 
scheduled for Tuesday, 9-10:50 p.m. 

The Redesign Steering Committee will 
hold an insight session on Tuesday 
evening. 

A reception for New Church Fellow- 
ships will be held on Tuesday, from 9-10 
p.m., at the Convention Center. 

Messenger representatives, district 
and congregational, will meet Wednesday, 
9-10:30 p.m., at the Regal Hotel. 



Meal Events 

A ticket order form for meal events is in- 
cluded in the Annual Conference packets. 
To order tickets before Conference, contact 
the ,'\nnual Conference office. Tickets also 
may be purchased at Conference with a 
72-hour advance before the meal. 

Breakfasts. Wednesday: Chaplains 
Networking. Thursday: Brethren Business 
Network, Brethren Press. Friday: People 
of the Covenant. Bethany Seminary Board 
Association, Washington Office Network 
($5.00). Saturday: On Earth Peace As- 
sembly. (Tickets are S7.50 unless other- 
wise noted.) 

Luncheons. Monday: Brethren Homes 
Networking. Wednesday: Ecumenical, 
Caregivers Recognition, Ministry of Rec- 
onciliation, Outdoor Ministries. Program 
for Women. Thursday: Brethren Mennonite 
Caucus (BMC), Brethren lournal Associa- 
tion, Church of the Brethren Association of 
Christian Education (CoBACE). Older 
Adult. Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS), 
Urban Ministry. Association for the Arts 
tour (luncheon cost included in $ 1 5 tour 
price). Friday: Association for the Arts in 
Church of the Brethren (AACB): Congre- 
gational Deacons: The Andrew Center. 
Brethren Volunteer Service. Disaster 
Services, and News Services; Womaen's 
Caucus: Brethren Encyclopedia. Saturday: 
Black Brethren and Friends ($4.50), 
Bridgewater College Alumni, Elizabethtown 
College Alumni, Juniata College Alumni, 
University of La Verne Alumni, Manchester 
College Alumni, McPherson College 
Alumni. (Tickets are $9.50 unless other- 
wise noted.) 

Dinners. Wednesday: Church Growth 
and Evangelism. Brethren Non- Profit 
Organizations. Thursday: Messenger, 
Outdoor Ministries Insight Session (bus 
ticket is $5.00). Friday: World Ministries, 
Committee on Higher Education. Sat- 
urday: Nigeria Partners ($9.00), Bethany 
Seminary 1956 Class Reunion. (Tickets 
are $1 1.75 unless otherwise noted.) 



CONFERI 

Inform 



:nce 

iTlON 



AC Tidbits 



Business sessions are scheduled for 
Wednesday through Saturday, 8:55- 
11:30 a.m. and 1:55-4:30 p.m. in 
Convention Center Halls A and B. 

Food service will be available in 
the Convention Center. There also are 
over 25 restaurants within walking 
distance. The Conference packet 
offers a list as well as a map. 

Volunteers are needed for pro- 
gram areas and activities. Contact 
the Annual Conference office. 

The annual blood drive will be 
held Wednesday, Friday, and Satur- 
day, noon-6:30 p.m., in Hall C. 

The annual quilt auction is sched- 
uled for Saturday afternoon in Hall C. 

A canned food/diaper drive 
sponsored by Association for the 
Arts and Young Adults will be held 
during the week. Canned soup and 
diapers will be donated to local 
shelters in Cincinnati. 

The 11th Annual Walk/Run 
sponsored by Outdoor Ministries will 
be held at 6:30 a.m. Thursday 

The General Board Live Report is 
scheduled for Thursday morning. 

Bible Study Electives will be held 
in the Convention Center, 7:30-8:30 
a.m., Wednesday through Saturday 

Over 50 Insight Sessions will be 
offered Wednesday through Friday 
9-10 p.m. Two sessions are sched- 
uled for Wednesday 1 2:30-1 :45 p.m. 

Annual Conference wrap-ups 
will be available in print and video. 
A set of 50 printed wrap-ups ($10) 
and the video ($24.95) can be 
ordered through Brethren Press, 
(800)441-3712. 

Annual Conference packets can 
be obtained by calling (800) 323- 
8039. 



Mav IQ'Jb Messenger 17 



% Conference 



Brethren in the t 



by David EUer 




hcii Rrcthicn jiiitlier 
this |ul\ in CiiKiniiiiti. 
lhc\ will be traveling to a 
region wlieiv l^ivlliren set- 
tlements .md ehurehes lui\e llourisiied 
ior o\er 200 years. Iliis leriiie and 
liea\il\ -timbered region is drained b\ 
the two Miami rixers. eaeh gentlx 
tlouing southwest into the Ohii.). Tiie 
Miami \allevs were a powertul mag- 
net to jiioneer Brethren lamihes. 
"Hunkers." h'om I'ennsyKania. 
\ irginia. and the upper Si.>uth. 
who were in seareh i.>l new tarm- ", 
lands and eeonomie opportunil\. ^ 

The Miami and the Little 
Miami ri\ers were named attei' the ' 
.Ameriean Indian inhabitants — ; 

themsehes named by I'reneh / 

explorers — who resided at the 
time of white settlement in what is ', 
nt)w southwest Ohio and eastern 
Indiana, primarilv ak>ng the 
Maumee and Wabash I'ivers. The 
Miamis are remembered as a eour- 
teous people; peaeetul. but strong 
and eourageous in battle. In south- j 
west Ohio — Miami University at 
0\lord: Miami County and the 
eity ot I'iqua (alter I'ieka- 
willany. a prineipal Miami \il- ^ 
lage): the eit\ of .Miamisburg ( 

in Montgomery County; ' — ^ ^ 

and the nearby Lower Miami 
Chureh t)f the Brethren — plaee-names 
relleet this rieh Ameriean Indian heritage. 

Permanent white settlements along the C^hio River and 
later in southwest Ohio began to mushroom in the late 1 7QOs. 

This immigration ineluded a signifieant number of Oerman- 
speaking .Amerieans. ineluding many Brethren. The passage of 
the Northwest Land Ordinance of I 785 provided for the 
orderly survey and sale of a vast public domain north and west 
of the Ohio River: It mattered little to Congress that American 

Indians already lived there. The land act was followed by the 

18 .Messenger Mav 1096 




Above: Detail of Riifus Putttain's 
1804 map of the Ohio frontier 
Right: Map of Dayton area with the 
Loner Miami Church, founded in 
1805. and four other churches that 
formed soon thereafter. 



1^ 



^^^^^^^m^po 




passage of the Northwest Ordinance of 1 787, which guar- 
anteed settlers certain political rights (including religious 
freedom) and created a process whereby regions of the 
Northwest could eventually becomes states. Ohio passed 
through the prescribed stages of territorial development 
and statehood was granted in 1805. 

The Miamis, Shawnee, and other native Americans, 
however, were reluctant to cede their lands to the feder- 
al government and resisted the advance of white settle- 
ment. Small war parties attacked isolated pioneer cabins 
and fiatboats of settlers floating down the Ohio. 

President George Washington approved three mili- 
tary expeditions that headed north toward the Wabash 
and Maumee rivers from Fort Washington (now 
Cincinnati) in an effort to quell the Indians. The first 
two campaigns ended in humiliating defeats for the US 
Army and volunteer forces. A third excursion, led by 
General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, finally crushed the 
Mianii-Shawnee confederation at the Battle of Fallen 
Timbers in 1 794. (Conferencegoers who wish to take in 
the outdoor drama "Blue lacket." the story of the 
Shawnee chief who led this battle, can see it performed 
summer evenings in .\enia. Ohio.) 

The resulting Treaty of Green Ville (Greenville in 
Darke County, site of The Brethren's Home) was signed 
by the principal Miami chief. Little Turtle. General 
Wayne's frank but honest treatment of the American 
Indians ended the warfare and opened up the lower two- 
thirds of Ohio to pioneer settlement. 

Following the Green Ville Treaty, most of the Miamis 
and Shawnee in southwest Ohio moved their villages far- 
ther west. But there still were American Indian camps in 
the Miami Valley when Dunker pioneer lacob Miller 
arrived on a high tract of land sLx miles south of the vil- 
lage of Dayton in 1 800. 

Miller, the first known Brethren preacher to settle 
north of Cincinnati, was the founder of the Lower Miami 
congregation. .According to tradition, he not only treated 
the natives fairly, but held worship services for them, in 
return, he gained their respect and was promised protec- 
tion. He was regarded as "a good man the Great Spirit 
sent from the east." 

Whether or not Miller was "sent" is open to question. 
There can be little doubt, however, that he was a faithful 
servant of God. His ministry led to the formation of pio- 
neer congregations in Virginia. Ohio, and Indiana. He 
was regarded by the late Brethren historian Floyd Mallott 
as "one of the most remarkable men in colonial .America." 

According to tradition. Miller was born in Franklin 

Mav IQ^Ib Messenger 19 



I 

\ 



AlOO-i^ear history in Cincinnati 



\ 



7 he Church of iho Brethren's 
presence in the Cincinnati area 
began o\er 200 years ago with 
the founding of its first congregation. 

In 1795. the Stonelick congrega- 
tion was organized on the banks of 
O'Bannon Creek by Eider David 
Stouder. with people coming troni 
Pennsyhania. Maryland, and X'irginia 
to attend. The present building was 
built in 1854. With the addition oi 
classroonis. it ser\es the congrega- 
tion well. An unique feature of this 
building is its separate cook stove lor 
making the lo\e feast and commu- 
nion meal, incorporated into its pre- 
sent kitchen. The congregation is 
ser\ed b\ .Merle Rummel. pastor, and 
Howard Watkins. moderator. 

.A second congregation began with 
a prayer meeting on New Year's Eve 
in ISQy. in a home located across the 
Ohio Ri\er from Cincinnati in Con- 
stance. Ky. The lounding couple 
were not Brethren, but. after careful 
research and stud>. the> decided that 
"the Church of the Brethren was the 
nearest (to) the l?ible." By the end of 
the next year, a Sunday school class 
and several baptisms led to the build- 
ing of the present church building, 
which was dedicated in 1Q02. The 
Constance Church of the Brethren 
continues to meet, under the leader- 
ship of Pastor Shelby North. 

The first Cincinnati proper congre- 
gation was organized in 1912 by 
Charles and Mabel Knoeptle. mem- 
bers of the Constance congregation 
who were "feeling the need" to 
expand the Church of the Brethren 
into the city. It began with a Sunday 
school class and then, with the help 
' of district funds, expanded to its first 
rented meeting space. .After canvass - 
I ing for funds from congregations 
] within Southern Ohio, a lot and 
'-^ house were purchased for S6.000. 
A church building was dedicat- 
\ ed in 1919. This congrega- 

20 .Messenger. Mav-^'59b ' "-'' 




I.I.!rtn...:'i' ***•' 



''■■■"•■■ 



The first congregation within the 
city limits of Cincinnati iias organ- 
ized in 1912 by Charles and Mabel 
Knoepfle. uho were among mem- 
bers of the Constance congregation 
"feeling the need" to expand the 
church into the city. 

tion continued until I960, when the 
church council sought approval trom 
the District Board to sell its building 
and parsonage to another denomina- 
tion. Members from this group who 
remained in the area found their new 
church home in similar denomina- 
tions. 

jg t this same time, leaders from 
JM the Lower Twin congregation 
r • in Preble County. Ohio, were 
planning a new presence in nearby 
Middlctown. In 1910, there were 
eight people living in this community 
who were drawn together for prayer 
meetings and song services, held in 
different homes. Ministers from the 
Lower Twin Church were called to 
supply preaching. In 1915. the first 
services were held in a nearby 
church, where 45 people participated 



in Sunday school. Within two years, ( 
a lot was purchased and the first V 

.Middlctown church was dedicated. 
Presently, the Middlctown congrega- | 
tion is worshiping in yet another 
building, which was purchased from I 

another congregation. Lois and i 

Harold Wenger are the co-pastors. i 

A preaching point was chosen by 
people from the Middlctown congre- 
gation, and in 1924 a ministry was 
begun between Middlctown and I 

Cincinnati, in Hamilton. .As with ; 

other new church beginnings, people / 
met in homes and then met in rent- ,• 
ed property, l-'rom there they moved / 
to a nearby church, and in 1925 , 
secured a lot for their own building. ( 
By 1957, a new building had been j 
built and dedicated, at the cost of I 
SI 0.567. The congregation contin- ; 
ued until the early 1980s when it I 
was dissolved. ! 



jM M ew church activity in this part 
J\J of our district then took a 
# w long break. It was not until 
1995 that the Southern Ohio District 
Board took action to create a new 
church project in Cincinnati. 

Presently, there is a group of peo- 
ple meeting in homes in the eastern 
part of the city. They, like people 
before them, are searching for a loca- 
tion in another building so that they 
can have a "home." The group meets 
twice a month for worship and Bible 
study. They are supported by mem- 
bers of Southern Ohio District's New 
Church Development Task Force, 
and draw upon the services of area 
ministers for preaching and teaching. 
During the week of Annual Confer- 
ence, several of these people will be 
active volunteers. Gerry Harley of 
Batavia is the contact person for this 
new church project. 
— Ia.\ies Tomlonson 

lames Tomlonson is district executive of 
Southern Ohio District. 






"/ 



^^ 



-._^ 



-■^'V 



County, Pa., in about I 755; his parents were first generation 
Swiss-German immigrants and German was his first lan- 
guage. He united with the Brethren as a young man and was 
placed in the ministry by William Stover in the Antietam 
(Conococheague) congregation, in I 762. 

Shortly before the outbreak of the American Revolution, 
Miller, with his wife and young children, relocated to the 
rolling hills and red clay soil of southwest Virginia. His home 
was on the north fork of the Blackwater River on Maggoty 
Creek in Franklin County. Here Miller preached, baptized, 
and organized German settlers into a Dunker church. 

Under the leadership of Miller and William Smith, an 
English pacifist whom Miller baptized, the Franklin County 
Brethren grew into a thriving congregation with several 
preaching points. Their labors also extended into neighboring 
Floyd County, Smith's home county, where additional cen- 
ters of church life developed. The Franklin "Germantown" 
settlement became so well known that Annual Conference 
was held there in 1797. At this Annual Meeting, Brethren 
were forbidden to own slaves and church elders condemned 
the doctrine of universalism (no hell punishment). 

V ^ W ithin months of this gathering, however, Miller 
m iW ^ began to sell his Virginia holdings in preparation 
^^M^^r for the move north. Why Miller elected to move 
^r ▼^ to the land of the Miamis north of the Ohio is a 
matter of conjecture. Most who have studied his life conclude 
that his opposition to slavery was a factor, since slavery was 
forbidden in the Northwest Territory. 

Another important consideration may have been Miller's 
interest in land speculation. Over a 20-year period, he 
bought and sold more than a thousand acres in Franklin 
County. In Ohio, he bought three sections (three square 
miles, or just under three thousand acres) at the land office 
in Cincinnati on credit, with a deposit of only $157.76. He 
then gradually sold these choice sections to later arrivals. 

Miller also bought another nearby section (640 acres) 
two miles east of the Miami River, on which he built a log 
cabin. This entire region became prime farmland. German- 
town, a few miles southeast, was laid out in 1818 and 
attracted a thriving community of German settlers. Miller's 
home was located about a mile from where the Lower 
Miami meetinghouse would later be built ( 1845), just west 
of the Germantown Pike. 

Miller lost no time in continuing his labors as a pioneer 
preacher. He performed his first baptism in 1 800, and a few 
years later posted bond as a Dunker preacher in Dayton, 
seat of newly created Montgomery County. Sufficient 
Brethren families had settled in the Miami Valley by 1805 to 
form a congregation. This church usually is regarded as the 
second or third Dunker church organized on Ohio soil. 

The dense forests were gradually cleared for farming. 
New settlers poured in each year, and both Miller and the 



Miami Church prospered. By 1810, the congregation 
included perhaps 50 or 60 Dunker families, including the 
Arnolds, Bowmans, Bowsers, Burketts, Caylors, Coblentzes, 
Cripes, Diehls, Florys, Forneys, Keens, Kuns, Metzgers, 
Noffsingers, Rohrers, Shanks, Shivelys, Ulrichs (Ullerys), 
Vanimans, Wagners, Wolfs, and Weybrights. This member- 
ship, which also included several ministers, was scatted over 
a wide area of Montgomery County, and to the east on to 
Beaver Creek in Greene County. 

Details are lacking, but internal dissension threatened 
the life of the young church. Given the number of ministers 
and the wide territory, the controversy may have been over 
the frequency and location of meetings. 

A visit by church leaders from Virginia in 1811 produced 
an amicable decision, which was to divide the membership into 
four congregations, each with two ministers and two deacons. 
The record of this decision, written in German and preserved 
in the Brethren Historical Library and Archives at the General 
Offices in Elgin, ill., carefully established clear boundaries for 
these churches. Each was named after a nearby watercourse: 
Lower Miami, Wolf Creek, Bear Creek, and Lower Stillwater. 
Strong congregations in Dayton and Montgomery County 
gradually developed out of these four pioneer churches. |acob 
Miller kept his oversight of the Lower Miami church, assisted 
by his son David Miller and Benjamin Bowman. 

Miller also pioneered Brethren missionary efforts to the 
west. In 1809, he and lohn Hart organized the Brethren liv- 
ing in Preble County into the Twin Creek congregation. 
They also pressed across the state line into Twelve Mile 
Purchase, Indiana Territory, meeting with Brethren who had 
moved to this area from the Miami Valley. That same year 
they formed Four Mile congregation, the second in Indiana. 
It included among its early membership the Lybrook, 
Houston, Miller, and Moss families, all of whom were in- 
laws or close relatives of Miller. 

lacob Miller died in 1815 and was buried on his farm. 
Shortly afterward his wife, Barbara, moved to the home of 
their daughter, Anna Lybrook, in the Four Mile settlement, 
Barbara died a few years later. 

Miller's legacy to the Brethren in the land of the Miamis 
can hardly be overstated. Four of his sons — Abraham, 
Daniel, Aaron, and David — became Brethren preachers and 
played a prominent part of the growth of the Brethren in 
Ohio and Indiana. A daughter, Mary Darst, became the 
mother of two Ohio ministers, Isaac and |ohn Darst. 

Commemorative markers at the Lower Miami and 
Germantown Brick (Franklin County, Virginia) churches 
pay honor to this pioneer preacher who carried his Dunker 
faith into the wilderness, and laid the foundations for \ii 
the Brethren movement to flourish. 



David Ellcr. former professor ofhisuvy at Bluffton College ami book 
editor for Rretlirea Rress. eurrently is exeeutive direetor and publisher for the 
Swedeiiborg Foundation. He and his family live in West Cliester. Pa. 



May 1996 Messenger 21 




Being a ^Lon< 

Sening the world puts ing as those in tiic days of the "old 



Bv David Radcliff 



ii- 



V Vho ^ 



was that masked man?" 

That was the question that ended 
e\er\ episode of the "lx)ne Ranger." a 
IQbO's western leaturing a masked hero. 
After helping those in need, the star of 
the show whirled his w hite stallion about 
and galloped off. before the benelleiaries 
ol his aid e\en knew his name. 

This kind of unselfeonseious attitude 
in serving others is refreshing. Today, 
it seems that name is everything. We 
want to be known fur who we are and 
for what we do. Certainly, we want to 
be known as someone of worth, if not 
importance. And yet, even this under- 
standable tendency can be dangerous. 

"Come, let us make a name for our- 
selves." This intention on the part of 
the builders of the Tower of Babel 
caused them to lose identity rather than 
acquire it. This longing to be known for 
who we are and what we have done 
also merits God's disapproval, as we 
seem to be usurping God's role as the 
giver of all good things. 

Other biblical stories provide a simi- 
lar lesson. It was shortly after King 
David "won a name for himself" (2 
Sam. 8:13) that his kingly power went 

22 Messenger May 1996 



US into challenging 
situations, as Joan 
Mangum of 
Bridgeivater, Va., 
learns at the feet of 
Francisco Rodrigez in 
San Francisco, 
Honduras. 



We must go beyond 
even the gallant role 

of the unnamed 

masked man. Ours is 

not to ride into town 

as the well-endowed 

benefactor, sure of 

what ails 'em and 

how to fix 'em, only 

then to gallof:^ away 

at day's end. 

to his head and led him astray. And 
aren't we shocked to find lesus' disci- 
ples arguing over who will be most 
highly regarded — at the very moment 
lesus is preparing to lay down his life 
for others (Luke 22:24-27)'.' 

How could they have been so long 
with lesus, yet so short on under- 
standing the example he set as some- 
one who cared for others with no 
thought for recognition for himself? In 
a story from |ohn 5, a paralyzed man 
healed by lesus can only refer to him 
as ". . . the man who made me well . . ." 
when interrogated by the authorities. 
He didn't catch his name! Indeed, 
lesus' unselfeonseious service is all the 
more retnarkable. as he more than 
anyone deserved to be recognized for 
his deeds of compassion and grace. 

The needs of our world are as press- 



west" or of biblical Palestine. For all 
the advances in the healing sciences 
and in the field of "development," peo- 
ple around the world still languish in 
disease and despair, or find themselves 
without the bare necessities of life. 
One quarter of the world's 5.7 billion 
people live in absolute poverty, while 
malnutrition stalks some 850 million 
people, stunting the growth of bodies 
and minds. They say that 55,000 chil- 
dren still die daily from preventable 
causes — often for want of $5 immu- 
nizations or a cup of clean water. 

Traveling to places where our de- 
nomination carries out mission and 
ministry gives this a stark reality: 

• Refugees walking the dusty roads 
of Sudan, seeking to escape a brutal 
ei\'il war that in the past decade has 
claimed 1.5 million lives and devastat- 
ed a rich agricultural region and 
equally rich cultural traditions. 

• Children in Central America who 
cannot get an education for want of a 
monthly $7 tuition — beyond the reach 
of families whose annual income is 
$250. 

• Girls and boys on nearly every 
continent — 200 million of them — 
made to work their childhoods away 
as fieid hands, bonded servants, or sex 
slaves. In many cases, they are paid 
pennies a day to make rugs and run- 
ning shoes for the world's consumers. 

Even where people have suddenly 
found "prosperity." a poverty of spirit 
threatens, as people turn to the accu- 
mulation of wealth rather than to God 
or to one another to salve life's deepest 
longings. 

Seeing these needs, we wonder 
what to do. Much can be done. Our 
resources and our resourcefulness 
are |"ilentiful. And yet. by what 
motives do we offer who we are and 
what we have? Are we. like the 
Babelonians of old. interested first in 
making a name for ourselves? Do 
we, as the disciples did, seek first our 
kingdom and its glory? 



langer' is not enough 



A Sunday School class is gratified to 
receive a letter from a struggling child 
naming that class as the child's link 
with a better life. Individuals whose 
financial gifts can make an impact on 
church programs appreciate the atten- 
tion received as potential donors. 

As a denomination, we like to see 
our name attached to particular mis- 
sion programs. When a Honduran 
community tells Brethren workcamp- 
ers that they were like "angels from 
heaven," we are tempted to accept 
such accolades as our due. Is there a 
point, however, at which the point 
becomes our own gratification, rather 
than a complete devotion to our Lord, 
to the church, and to the world's suf- 
fering people? Several key questions 
may help us determine when we have 
come to this point. 

Does our ministry always point be- 
yond ourselves to our Lord? If lesus 
can tell those he healed to return home 
and "declare how much God has done 
for you," we, too, should be able to 
point not to ourselves but beyond our- 
selves as we do God's work in the 
world. After all, God is the source of 
our compassion and our ability to 
share; we are simply those through 
whom God works. 

A second question: Is our ministry 
undertaken in cooperation with the 
ones we serve? Those out to make a 
name for themselves enjoy setting the 
terms for any service they render. A 
tragically humorous example: A 
European agency determined that peo- 
ple in a poor Honduran community 
would benefit from a large grain dry- 
ing facility. Trouble was, no one asked 
the Hondurans. They now call it the 
"elefante bianco (white elephant)," 
and use it for a tool storage shed. Out 
of respect for others, as well as for 
practical reasons, our mission plans 
must be cooperative at every stage. 
This would include working with other 
church agencies that have a long histo- 
ry in a particular region. 

Third, in our interest in being direct- 



ly connected to a mission project — 
and thus directly receiving credit — do 
we actually diminish the effect of the 
ministry for the recipients? I ponder 
this question regularly in planning 
workcamps and learning tours. Would 
it be better to simply send money to be 
used by agencies in the area, rather 
than spend money to take a group? 

Generally, I have found that those 
who go to another area often are trans- 
formed by the experience; this, in turn, 
is to the lasting benefit of the work of 
the church and the needs of the world. 
Visitors also are often deeply moved by 
the religious faith and dogged determi- 
nation to build a better life on the part 
of the host community. 

I also find that when service is offered 
in a cooperative and humble style, recip- 
ient communities often feel empowered 
and blessed by the visiting group. How- 
ever, should the experience simply feed 
our need to give or to be recognized or 
to travel to an "exotic" location, we 
must then question its worth. 

T 

■ his leads to a more troubling 
I question: Are we willing to 
J^ look beyond the immediacy of 
the needs of a person or community to 
search out the underlying causes for 
their suffering? Only as we take time 
to understand why a person or people 
or nation lives in a certain condition 
can we truly begin to minister to them. 
This often leads to a wider array of 
ministries in a given context, as we 
come to realize that meeting the imme- 
diate need is only a small part of the 
solution to the problem. For example, 
while sending SOS kits to Sudan was 
helpful, this needed to be accompanied 
by multilaceted ministries that included 
peacemaking, Bible translation, and 
leadership assistance. 

One key dimension of the story of 
the man |esus healed in John 5 was 
that it took place on the Sabbath, 
lesus was aware that healing others, 
while valuable in itself, needed to be 



complemented by attempts to change a 
dehumanizing religious system. This 
represented a crucial step toward set- 
ting people free to live as God intend- 
ed. It also meant that those who bene- 
fited from the system would be 
angered. Indeed, lesus' violations of 
the Sabbath laws for the sake of peo- 
ple's needs led directly to the authori- 
ties" efforts to destroy him. 

Looking for the deeper reasons for 
the suffering of others can also have 
another troublesome consequence — 
we begin to question ourselves. As we 
compare our abundance to someone 
else's poverty, we have to wonder how 
things got this way. Wlnat keeps them 
this way? In God's eyes, is this an 
arrangement that reflects justice and 
leads to peace? If things were to be 
different, how would this affect us and 
our way of life? 

In short, we must go beyond even 
the gallant role of the unnamed mask- 
ed man. Ours is not to ride into town 
as the well-endowed benefactor, sure 
of what ails 'em and how to fix 'em, 
only then to gallop away at day's end. 
Our work — the work of Christ, of 
God, of the church — is long-term 
work. It is done with others, not for 
them, it seeks God's purposes and the 
good of the neighbor, rather than 
name recognition for the giver. It 
leaves the giver vulnerable to change 
— a change of heart and lifestyle, as 
well as in feelings toward the recipient. 
It invites other changes as well — 
changes in the way the world works. 
Thus, it becomes work that demands 
as much courage as compassion, as 
those same forces lesus faced as he 
sought change will be found in our 
own time as well. 

It is, as an earlier Brethren put it, 
work for the glory of God and our 
neighbor's good. It is, as we now like to 
say. continuing the work of lesus 
— peacefully, simply, together. 



Ai^ 



David Radcliff is director of Dcnominalional 
Peace- W'iiiicss and Korean Ministries for the 
General Board 

May ll'^b Messenger 23 




STONES 



by Robin 
Wentworth Mayer 



Stepping Stones is a column offering 
suggestions, perspectives, and opin- 
ions — snapshots of life — that we 
hope are helpful to readers in their 
Christian journey. As the writer said 
in her first installment. "Remember, 
when it comes to managing life's 
difficulties, we don't need to walk 
on water. We just need to learn 
where the stepping stones are. " 



"If mama ain't happy, ain't 
nobody happy!" 

Whether it's good or bad. 
fair or not. or the result of 
nature or nurture, I won't 
attempt to debate it. The 
realit)' is that this little 
"down home" proverb car- 
ries more than a kernel of 
truth. Because no matter 
how "modern" a family 
becomes, there are a num- 
ber of family functions usu- 
ally carried out by the moth- 
er that can become seriously 
impaired if mama ain't 
happy. 

Take the job of "traffic 
control" (please, take it!). 

A couple of summers 
ago, I glanced at my baby- 
sitter's calendar. Now this 
is a mother who. in addi- 
tion to providing daycare 
for others, had four chil- 
dren of her own ranging 
from diapers to designer 
jeans. Her schedule was 
packed every day with near- 
ly hourly practices and 
lessons. It struck fear into 
my heart to even consider 
coordinating such a com- 
plexity of commitments. 1 
seriously doubt that the 
CEOs of the nation's most 
progressive corporations 
keep a more intense pace. 
Can you imagine the ensu- 
ing "operations collapse" if 
that mama weren't happy? 

Mothers also tend to 
determine the emotional 
climate of the home. This is 
dramatically illustrated 



when the mother in a fami- 
ly is suffering from clinical 
depression, which has a 
way of spawning destruc- 
tive decisions that can se- 
verely damage family rela- 
tionships. I've found, in 
several years of marriage 
counseling, that often a key 
component of recovery for 
the couple was to help the 
husband and children 
"change the rules" of their 
household in order to give 
Mom the support and free- 
dom to take care of herself, 
and the opportunity to 
grow and develop in her 
own right. And believe me. 
a happier mama made for a 
happier family. 

More often than not, 
mothers function as the 
glue that holds the famUy 
together in various ways. I 
have a long-time friend 
whose mother died sudden- 
ly and unexpectedly when 
my friend and her siblings 
were in their 20s. What had 
been a close-knit Irish 
Catholic family has. over 
the past 1 years, gradually 
disconnected. Their father 
had never been the one who 
planned holiday celebra- 
tions, remembered birth- 
days, or corralled everyone 
for family reunions. And his 
new wife has rejected the 
role of presiding matriarch. 

Now I could talk a long 
time on why it shouldn 't be 
that way. But the bottom 
line is that without a happy 



mama, this extended fami- 
ly's happiness has been sig- 
nificantly diminished. 

I can remember my own 
father saying that it was his 
job to keep my mother 
happy. While I can't agree 
that it's ever anyone's job 
to take responsibility for 
another's happiness, I think 
my dad was on the right 
track. A man cannot make 
his wife happy, but there's a 
lot he can do to contribute 
to the conditions whereby 
she can create her own 
happiness. 

This will be different 
things to different mamas. 
A mother's happiness is not 
determined by whether or 
not she has a career, how 
much laundry she does or 
doesn't do, nor by clubs, 
hobbies, or activities in 
which she participates. The 
key is for husbands to know 
their wives and do whatever 
it takes to support her hap- 
piness. 

And here's the clincher: 
Don't do it for her sake, do 
it for you! You see, it is in 
your own best interests for 
the mama in your life to be 
happy. Because when we're 
not, we have an uncanny 
ability of making everyone 
else miserable as well. 

And if you don't believe 
me, just ask my 
husband! 



Ai, 



Robin Wentworth Mayer is pas- 
tor of Kokomo (hid.) Church of the 
Brethren. 



24 Messenger May 1 996 



'*»*,. 




Lending a hand in Marlinton 

Volunteers respond after the January flood 



by Jason Bauserman 

I awoke from a deep sleep at 5 
a.m.. January 19, 1996, the phone 
ringing just inches from my ear. 
Calling were loretta and Wesley 
Coleman, members of Durbin (W.Va.) 
Church of the Brethren, who were ask- 
ing for prayers for their safety and 
against the waters that were beating on 
their back door. While promising to 
pray, I begged them to leave immedi- 
ately with their two young daughters. 

The previous day, the National 
Weather Service (NWS) had requested 
me to do a snow pack melt measure- 
ment. Having an official NWS station 
at our Bartow. W.Va.. home, we gladly 
obliged. Half of the Bltzard of '96 still 
remained, with some bare ground visi- 
ble while other areas of turf were cov- 
ered under three-foot drifts. Picking 
an average spot was difficult. The cho- 
sen foot of slushy snow for a core 
sample quickly melted down on the 
kitchen stove to 2.61 inches of water. 
The worst-case scenario occurred in 
the middle of the night. Pounding 
rains measured 2.68 inches. With tem- 
peratures in the mid- 50s, very strong 
southwest winds melted most of the 
existing snow, including that in the 
highest elevations. The final warning 
came with a dash of thunder and light- 



The raging waters 

were reminiscent of 

the 1985 flood that 

devastated West 

Virginia. The local 

newspaper ran the 

headline, "Second '500 

Year' Flood in a 

Decade." No recorded 

floods in the past 

century have come 

close to these two. 

And, as in 1985, 

Brethren volunteers 

arrived by the 

vanload to help. 



ning at 7:25 a.m. As a strong cold 
front swept in. the temperatures 
descended 55 degrees, reading a shiv- 
ering two degrees the next morning. 

Pocahontas County, highest in aver- 
age elevation (5,161 feet) east of the 
Rockies, is the birthplace of eight 
rivers. The famous Greenbrier River. 
the longest free-llowing river in the 
East, bisects the county. Up to six 



inches of water came plummeting off 
4,000-foot mountain ranges to the 
Greenbrier River Basin below. The 
muddy waters spread out hundreds of 
feet in the floodplains. with the crest 
lasting around five hours. 

This raging flood was very reminis- 
cent of the 1985 flood. The Poccv- 
hoiitus Times ran a headline stating. 
"Second '500 Year' Flood in a 
Decade." No recorded floods in the 
past century have come close to these 
two. Is it global warming, more log- 
ging roads, or last -day Bible prophe- 
cy? Only God knows, and hopefully 
we have his attention. 

The smaller headwater towns of 
Bartow, Durbin, and Cass were not 
damaged as extensively as Marlinton. 
Ronceverte, and Alderson, with their 
greater population and downtown 
business districts. At Durbin, Seneca 
Mental Health patients were evacuated 
to Durbin Church of the Brethren, 
which overlooks the town. Pastor 
Donnie Curry, stranded on the other 
side of the river, was glad that the 50- 
year-old church was available, as it 
also was in 1985. 

Forty miles downstream at Marlin- 
ton, the county seat, the situation was 
far different. With no working flood 
gauges and very few automatic rain 
gauges functioning above Marlinton, 



May I'^Qb Messenger 25 





^_ --- "^ 


,'s-^t%J 


^^fc- 


^ ^^ ,^ v^ 


JlJ»^ 




&Wan 


k9'*i^^^^^H ^B- 




*-. 





T^. 



(^OnfcytHCS... 



Students prepare for a new 
stadium in the '50s. 



McPherson 
College 

McPherson 

Kansas 

316 241 0731 




Students build for Habitat for Humanity in thie '90s. 



"7b Iciuglh to have a good honest laugh, 

is heahng and heaUhy. 

. . . Laughter all by itself is spiritual " 

— Ted & Lee — 




join Ted <!s: l.ec for loaves, 
fishes, and other food for 
thought at the Mhssenchk 
Dinner on Thursday, July 4, 
at Annual (Conference in 
(Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Tici<i'ts arc available from 
Annual Conference 
Ticket Sales h\ 
mail order or 

-^ early In the week 
In Cincinnati 



the Iniholdgisl in Charlcsli.)n, W.Va.. 
had few statistics to predict a flood 
crest. For a seven-hour period, the 
Hood crest was predicted at 13-14 ieet 
at Mariinton. Al 10:30 a.m.. with Hood 
waters bearing down, the NWS crest 
prediction was suddenly jacked to 20 
icet. 10 feet above Hood stage. Man\ in 
Mariinton were caught with no warn- 
ing. Most lost all personal possessions. 
With up to six feet of water in the busi- 
ness district, store inventories became 
debris. The new First National Bank, 
open for just two months, had water 
coming in its windows. Praise the IamxI 
that no lives were lost this time! 

David Rillenhouse, senior 
pastoi o{ the yoked 
Pocahontas Church of the 
Brethren congregation, lists 
75 members who aided mostly Mar- 
lititon Hood victims. There really was 
no organized church effort. On their 
own, members gathered up shovels 
and cleaning supplies to remove mud 
and debris. These Brethren, members 
ol churches that were originally plant- 
ed by the legendary |ohn Kline, con- 
tinued to carry on his spirit of service 
in the name of Christ. 

For two weeks following the disaster, 
Shenandoah District sent two vanloads 
of volunteers to Mariinton and Cass. 
From these early "einotional" ties, the 
Brethren asked for and received Mar- 
iinton as their project area. Donna 
fOerr. director of the Church of the 
Brethren's Disaster Services, made an 
initial three-month cotnmitment for 
workers to be in Mariinton. which 
could be extended if needed. 

Wade Flutehinson performed the 
set-up work for the hosting Shen- 
andoah District. An abandoned church 
building was remodeled, complete w ith 
sleeping quarters and showers. This 
building will be left to house future 
response teams. 

Disaster Services also secured a list of 
the neediest families without insurance 
from the Federal Emergency Manage- 
ment Agency, which was used to deter- 



26 .Messenger Muv igOb 



mine which families and houses were to 
receive Brethren assistance. 

Surrounding church districts were 
assigned specific weeis.s to supply a 
vanload of volunteers. According to 
Donna, districts take this witness com- 
mitment seriously, keeping Disaster 
Services extremely busy. Besides the 
Marlinton project, Brethren in March 
were ministering in St. John, Virgin 
Islands; Wilkes-Barre and Hyndman. 
Pa.: and Washington state. 

Marlinton and Pocahontas County 
now have serious questions to answer. 
Located in God's country in the heart 
of the Monongahela National Forest, 
jobs have become very scarce. Recently 
closed were the world's largest leather 
tannery at Frank, and the Hanover 
Shoe Company at Marlinton: both of 
which had Brethren employees. With 
unemployment at 20 percent, this is 
sure to increase to Depression-type 
figures. Many businesses still had 
debts from the 1985 flood. Indi\iduals 
are contemplating relocation. 

Decisions hinge on whether to build 
a mainstream dam on the Greenbrier 
River two miles above Marlinton. Man 
has tried to tame nature on most other 
rivers in this country. This beautiful 
border county in this border state 
again has been split as it was in the 
Civil War — north versus south. Mar- 
linton and southern counties along the 
river basin want the dam, while 
Pocahontas County, a county to the 
north, opposes the construction of 
such a dam. 

If the dam is to be built, it will take 
many years to be completed. In the 
meantime, 1 have taken the voluntary 
task of implementing the countywide 
early warning emergency system. Lord 
willing, this will include strategically 
placed flood gauges, a local repeater 
for the federal government's weather 
radio service, a local antenna to link 
the automatic rain gauge system to 
the Charleston weather office, and 
possibly some type of alarm system or 
link to 91 1. 

A big "thank you" goes out to all 



Frdiii Ik Generil Secreky 

Anticipating a new day 

The announcement of my retirement at the end of this year has brought 
many expressions of appreciation, for which I am grateful. I came into this 
position 10 years ago committed to listening to our people and to the 
Annual Conference as we prayerfully sought the direction for denomination- 
al programming. Taking new initiatives required additional resources, which 
were given through Brethren Vision for the '905 commitments. 

For some time, I have anticipated retiring this year, hoping to leave the 
church with a strong sense of God's purpose, and well-positioned for the 
next century. That hope continues, but now it will come through the 
redesign process in which the General Board currently is engaged. People 
often ask why the Board is facing financial difficulty when they have under- 
stood that we have balanced our budgets for seven of the past 10 years. 

It is not because our people have slacked off in their giving. Total giving to 
all church causes is up about 60 percent from what it was 10 years ago. The 
percentage of income that Brethren give has increased from 2.57 percent to 
2.97 percent. Clearly, Brethren have continued to support the church. 

It is not because outreach contributions now are going for local church 
expenses. Giving to local church programs has increased about 50 percent 
in the decade, while giving to outreach has increased about 60 percent. 

It is not that congregational giving to the General Board has radicaDy 
declined, though recent years show a decline. Over the decade, it has main- 
tained the same level. But it has not increased at the rate of other outreach 
giving. In the meantime, expenses increase $200,000-5300,000 per year. 
The result is an increasing problem for the Board. 

We get a better picture by analyzing outreach giving. Percentages of 
increase during the 10-year period for various categories are as follows: the 
General Board's general fund. 4.9 percent: Emergency Disaster Fund, 7.9 
percent; homes and hospitals, 30.9 percent: Bethany Theological Seminary, 
50.2 percent; districts, including camps, 65.6 percent; colleges, 86.7 per- 
cent: other outreach, 106.6 percent. 

What becomes clear is that most Brethren institutions have kept pace with 
the average increase in giving, while giving to the Board's general fund has 
remained level. One can imagine that many church budgets increasingly 
include Heifer Project International and local outreach programs. Giving to 
the General Board has not kept pace with these other appeals. 

The Board balanced its budget over the decade by appealing to people for 
the Brethren Vision for the '90s, but most of those commitments were com- 
pleted in 1995. That is why the problem appeared just now. We had hoped 
that giving to the general fund might begin to increase, but it has not. 

Someone has suggested that an additional penny a day per member would 
balance the budget this year, and that is true. Even so, we must find ways 
for Board programs to be in touch with what congregations want and need. 
That is what redesign is all about. I believe redesign presents a unique op- 
portunity for denominational programs to be well positioned for the next 
century, my fond hope as I anticipate retirement. — Don.\ld E. Miller 

Donald E. Miller is general secretaiy of the Church of the Brethren. 



church disaster volunteers. When a 
disaster strikes your own community, 
it is nice to know that Brethren trom 
afar will respond to the o\er\\helming 
trials of strangers. Good Samaritans 



still abound w ithin the Church 
of the Brethren! 



w. 



/iiMii; Bau^cnnan is a inenther of Pocahontas 
i\\ \a I Church of the Brethren, aitd a writer for 
the Pocahontas Times. 



Mav lOOti Messenger 27 



Responding to disasters fo 




After Hurricane Camille devastated 

Mississippi's Gulf Coast in 1969, 10 BVSers 

were sent to help clean up. From that early 

beginning arose the Brethren Disaster 

Services. Jason Bauserman, one of the 10 

BVSers, describes the proqram then and now. 



In the aftermath of Hurricane 
Camille in 1969. W BVSers uere 
sent from the Brethren Service 
Center in Ncir Windsor. Mil. A few 
of those volunteers are shown above 
clearing debris in Long Beach. Miss. 



by )ason Bauserman 

In August 1969. lU Brethren Volun- 
teer Ser\iee sveirkers were sent from 
the Biethren Ser\ice Center in New 
Windsor. Md.. to Mississip|ii's Gulf 
Coast. We were told that the Chureli 
of the Bi'ethren wanted to initiate a 
disaster response network, similar to 
Mennonite Disaster Ser\iee. 

H\en though some ehurehes and 
indi\iduals had resp(.)nded to local dis- 



F 



s 



The L\NGiiAGE of God 

rom generation to generation, the Word of (!od never 
changes. But the words we use do ch;uige. so people of 
faith gather together in councils to develop translations that 
share the power of (iod with oiu' children. In>^/ 

The New Revised Standard Version is yoiu^ Bihle. developed hy scholars 
from \our denomination through your Cotincil of Churches. 

The Bihle Fund is a part of the .National Council of the Churches of 
Christ that seeks to support the development and use of standard Bihle 
translations. 

\\t' enstu'e Bihle translations and sttuK tools unaffected h\ commerciid 
pressures. We can help you and your congregation 
grow closer to scripture. 

1-800-541-242S 

I)r Bill l.c\cnnt;, Dirutlor 

R<«ini'lli • ri RivcrMiic f)n\c • \cu Virk. M lonsonio 




asters over die \eais. it was not until 
1975. on a mandate by .-Xunual Con- 
ference, that the vision for disaster 
response, through the deneral Board's 
Disaster Services, came to liuition. 
The main office always has been locat- 
ed at New Windsor. Directors have 
been Mac Coffman. |an Thompson, 
and for the past seven years. Donna 
Den. 

There are a number of changes that 
have occurred in disaster response since 
Hurricane Camille struck more than 25 
years ago. We BVSers flew by airplane 
to Culfport. Miss. We worked under 
the direction o( Mennonite Disaster 
Service and the Red Cross. 

Oftentimes, we had to drive many 
miles to a job site. Sleeping on saggy 
Army cots in an old. abandoned school 
was not very comfortable. Soap in the 
soft water showers did not want to 
come off. Meals were prepared by Red 
Cross volunteers and served in the 
cafeteria. Our assignments often split 
the young and eager group into two or 
three segments. 

Today, different districts send a van 
full of volunteers, normally for a five- 
day stay. Airline flights would only be 
used to transport volunteers overseas, 
like to a recent project in St. lohn. 
Virgin Islands. 

When relief agencies have left. 
I^icthren set up for the long-term. 
Often a large house is fixed up in ex- 
change for rent. A home atmosphere 
w ith new friends, good conversation, 
comfortable beds, and home-cooked 
meals now is provided. The on-site 
|iroject coordinator, in conjunction 



28 Messenger .M;.\ IQ'-Hi 



5 years 

with Donna, keeps the operation run- 
ning smoothly. 

Unheard of in 1969 were child care 
and the Federal Emergency Manage- 
ment Agency (FEMA). Both have since 
grown by leaps and bounds. The trau- 
ma for children in a disaster was rec- 
ognized and addressed. Training ses- 
sions now are held for child caregivers. 

FEMA was created in 1978 "to pro- 
vide a single point of accountability for 
all federal activities related to disaster 
mitigation and emergency prepared- 
ness and response." As a result, 
"Church response has changed dra- 
matically." Donna said. 

History was made on March 4. 
1996. in Charleston. W.Va. It was the 
first time FEMA and volunteer church 
agencies met together to discuss ex- 
pectations. Booklets and literature — 
measuring four inches in a stack — 
provide federal guidelines to help 
today's disaster victims. Besides quick 
repair. FEM.A now emphasizes reloca- 
tion, elevation, flood proofing, flood 
walls, and protection of utilities. 

In Charleston. I was pleasantly sur- 
prised by the church representatives in 
attendance. The majoritv' of people there 
represented the Brethren. Mennonites. 
and Friends. The historic peace church- 
es continue to serve the hurting in 
Christ's name. These three small de- 
nominations still are making a large wit- 
ness by putting their faith into action. 

The support for disaster response as 
a church program has been phenome- 
nal. The majority of volunteer workers 
are retirees. Three annual disaster auc- 
tions, held by the Atlantic Northeast. 
Shenandoah, and Mid-Atlantic dis- 
tricts, add more than S500,000 to this 
designated fund. Prayer support and 
the outpouring of hearts keeps this 
program strong. 

Over the past 25 years, through 
experience, the disaster program has 
grown and matured. It now is well- 
known for being at the forefront for 
those in need. We. as Brethren, show- 
ing Christ's love and service, do ^jjT 
belong in this ministry. I * 



'■■/- 



'The gifts Christ gave were that some would he 
■^>. fUpostles, 
"■sojine propkefs,^~:ii 
some evangelists, ^ 

some pastors, 
some teachers../',: -:■' 



m^^ 



Er'ni:siANs4''ll ,. 



Where^toMiJL^You? 



Bethany Theological Seminary 

can help vou explore where your 
faith is leading you. Masters degree 
and certificate programs prepare 



some as counselors, some as 
chaplains, some as evangelists, 

Uj' some as pastors, some as teachers. 

\{2\ What lies ahead tor you? 



Bethany Theological Seminary 

615 Xational Road West, Richmond, Indiana 47374 

For information and directions to our new campus call Debbie Eisenbise at 

1-800-BTS-8822. 



Vice President of Development 

THE BRETHREN HOME FOUNDATION 

The Brethren Home is a premiere coiitinuint; care reliremtiit comniunit\' located on a 20(l-acre 
campus near Gettysburg. Pa., and serves 900 people The Home enjoys a reputation for superior, 
innovative services and is fully accredited by the Continuing Care .Accreditation Commission of .UHS.\. 

The Brethren Home Foundation is the parent corporation to The Brethren Home, and has primarv 
responsibility for resource development. The Vice President of Development will be committed to 
advancing our tradition of excellence in miiiistrv through leading a comprehensive. visi(}narv program 
of hindralsing strategies and tactics to achieve specihc financial goals. Me she will lead a professional 
development team, personally cultivate individual, church, corporate, and foundation donors and 
prospects, and be a member of the senior administrative team. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a superior record in the full spectrum of fund develop- 
ment, including annual and planned giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation gi'ants, and capi- 
tal campaigns, ('PRE required along with superior skills in pidilic speaking, interpersonal relations, 
and the ability to inspire staff and volunteers. Strong preference given to .Master's Degree plus trust 
and estate planning skills. 

To apply, send resume & cover letter with .salary requirements to: Director of Human 
Resources, The Brethren Home. 2990 Carlisle Pike, P.O. Box 128, New 0.\tbrd, P.A, 17.?S(). 

Mission Statement: "The Brethren Home Cximmunitv, a vessel for C^hrisrian 
niiiiistrv reflecting the Church of the Brerhren value of compassionate ser\ice, 
promotes health and wholeness, proxides nursing care, rehabilitarit)ii services, 
and adult residential housing to individuals of all faiths." 

Hqiicil ()pfM>rtiiiiitr Hinploycr 



Mav JQQCi Mes.-icnacr 29 



Ul 



mnw 



Don't dismiss difficult truths 

lai.^t ucck 1 sal down witli nine minis- 
ters to rc\ic\\ tlic Ivodcsign Steering 
Committee's (RSC) initial report, in- 
eluded in our group were two lormer 
General Board stall', a past .Annual 
Conlerenee moderator, a formei- eliair 
o\ the Council ol District I:xecuti\es. 
and a former pastor ol Highland 



.\\enue Church ol the brethren in 
lilgin. 111. All of these people were 
inwihed in the gathering ol data lor 
the report. 

These are peojile who know inti- 
mately how tiic l^rethren operate, who 
are experienced with the highest struc- 
tural levels o\' the denomination. .And 
these are people that the editor thinks 
ma\ he clueless on how the denomina- 



iin 



v^ 



/^ BRETHREN Identity 

ent To Tithing 

History A\ Denominational 

5 /\\ Share Fund AXChurch 

Homeov\fner's /^ 

ce Protection For Brethren 
Security A\ Personal Service 

/\\ PrOrnpt oss settlements /\^ 



Churches... Homes... Farms... Renters 

Insurance Protection 
Exclusively For Brethren 

Call 1-800-255-1243 



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Mutual Aid 
Association 
Church of the Brethren 



tion W(.)rks (March Editorial, page 3b). 

IXning our discussion, none of 
these people expressed any significant 
disagreement witli the RSC's report. 

I don't know to what extent the edi- 
torial rcllects the thinking of General 
Board stall members, but the editor 
appears to be sullering from a serious 
case ol denial. The editorial seems to 
argue that if people perceive a problem 
with the w ork l)\ the General Board 
stall, it is likely because those people 
simply don't understand what the staff 
does. It suggests that folks are igno- 
rant about how the structure of our 
denomination works. 

The problem, the editorial claims, is 
the great "clueless" unwashed. We 
don't require any tundamental change, 
we need onl\ to do a better job ot com- 
municating, if this isn't denial, what is? 

["or those who ha\e not read the 
report. I recommend the excellent 
summary on page 7 of the same issue. 
or contact your district office tor a 
copy. Contrary to the editorial. \ou 
will not find any criticism of people. 

The editorial refers to "pact(s) with 
the de\il." "niessies) of pottage" or 
"piddK little programs." none of which 
is referred to in the report, "^'ou will 
not find statements that the "|iresent 
General Board program doesn't 
amount to much." .According to the 
editorial, all of these are what some 
people "inler." None ot these are actu- 
all\ in the report, nor do I belie\'e that 
the report reasonably suggests them. 

Instead, readers of the report will 
find a strong sense that the General 
Board needs to re-examine its priori- 
ties. The report is not critical of the 

Tlic opinicii!. cxprcfscj in letter-- arc not necessarily 
those ot the niagcizine. Renders shoiiUi receiw 
them ill the siiitie spirit u-iilt whieli differing opin- 
ions (ire expressed in face-to-face conversations. 

Letters slioidd be brief concise, and respeetfid of 
die opinicits ofotlters Preference is pVc/i to letters 
that respond directly to items read in the magazine. 

We are n-iHing to withhold the name of a writer 
only when, in our editorial judgment, it is war- 
ranted. We will not consider any letter that comes 
to tis un.signed. Wliether or not we print the letter 
the writer's iiaitie is kept in strictest confidence. 

.-iddress letters to MESSENGER editor I4t1 
Dundee. -h-e . Elgin. IL bOI20 



30 Me^scn^er Mav \^^b 



efforts of General Board staff, but of 
the decisions that the Genera! Board 
has made in directing those efforts. 

The report suggests that the General 
Board's limited resources should be 
directed primarily toward equipping 
and strengthening congregations, with 
other calls for increased emphasis, 
including better communication, flow- 
ing from that general concern. It is 
hard for me to see how the current 
state of our denomination could lead 
to any other conclusion. 

The nine distinguished servants of 
Christ's body I met with are not disaf- 
fected outsiders who perceive them- 
selves as excluded from the councils of 
power. They are not "clueless" about 
how the General Board works. These 
men and women were carefully select- 
ed for the survey because of their ex- 
perience and knowledge of the denom- 
ination at various levels. 

I hope that the General Board and the 
denomination at large, rather than dis- 
missing difficult truths, will engage in a 
careful reading of what we learn fi-om 
these people, and will prayerfully and 
creatively face the challenges that the 
report puts before us. I pray that we can 
develop a vision for the General Board 
that will truly equip congregations to 
continue a distinctive witness and min- 
istry for many generations to come. 

Jeffrey Davidson 
Woudhridge. Ml. 



Decide now, disagree later 

I am in complete agreement with the 
March Editorial. As a Sunday school 
teacher, I often was asked, "How do 
you know all of this?" 

What I find on the local and district 
levels is a very strong feeling that what 
we do is entirely our own business. 
I've had a hard time convincing people 
that what comes out of Annual Con- 
ference and most of what Elgin does is 
the will of the grass roots. 

Why do we send delegates to Con- 
ference? For whatever other purpose 
than to express our local wills? Why 
don't churches instruct their delegates 
how to vote? In all my experience, I've 




BFI Balanced Fund 
12.1% 



Is your church looking 
for better returns? 

If you are searching for sound management for your con- 
gregation's endowment and reserve funds, the Brethren 
Foundation may be the answer. Since 1990, our profes- 
sional managers have produced an average annual return 

, __ of 12 1". in our balanced fund In contra.M, the returns on 

Average CDs 

5.25% < '^^ 'or the same period averaged about 5.25%. 




For information call Mark Pitman, at 800-746-1505, or make an 
appointment to meet at Annual Conference. (Booths 21,22, and 23) 

Brethren Foundation, Inc. 

A ministry ol Cliurch ot the Brethren Bcncht Tnist 
1505 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois 60120 



!• 



Brethren Volunteer 
Service 




..••* 



It Takes Many Steps To 
Continue The Work of Jesus. 

Help solve deep-rooted problems. 
Work for peace and justice. 
Serve basic human needs. 
Help preserve the environment. 
Put your faith into action. 



Make Your Mark! 



Call (800) 323-8039 

Monday through Frid 
between 8 am & 
4 pm C.S.T. 




May IQi^t) .Messenger 31 




WHAT WOULD 

JESUS SAY TO 

THE WORSHIP 

COMMITTEE 

OF YOUR 

CHURCH? 

Find out €tt §he 
1996 



June 14-16, 1996 

Duquesne University 
Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania 



For a Free Brochure 

Call 

800-774-3360 

Sponsored by 

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\ \ I ) K I W 
ICiA 11. R 



J'llCI'N 



nc\cr seen or lieard our local delegates 
instructed how to \ote. Sonielinies I 
wonder if the locals e\en know what 
the issues are. I ha\e served as a dele- 
gate several times ami once on Stand- 
ing t'onimillee; never have I been 
instructed how to vote, even alter ask- 
ing lor instruction. 

\hn once decisions aie made. |ieople 
on the local and district levels leluse to 
pav attention or listen to ihe decisions 
ihev sent vou there to make! I some- 
times wonder just how much people, 
Hrethi'cn included, leally believe in 
representative government. 

I et me assure you. some ol us on 
the grass-roots level believe the 
"Idgin" bunch to be talented, dcdical- 
ei.1. aiul lespected "orelinarv joes." 

Don SiiwUt 
Wiivncyhoro. \(i 



Seeing is believing 

Right on with .March's l-.ditoriall When 
I read statements in the Redesign 
Steering Committee's re|iort that we 
need to be in more "cooiieralion with 
someone else" and "toei much ellort is 
being s]ient in (ecumenical involve- 
menl) at the expense ol chinches and 
districls." 1 wonder how one does 
cooperate while cutting the ecumenical 
involvement that is the coojieration. 

I only wish that evcivone could 
spend some time working in 1 .Igin in 
some capacitv lor a period. ti.> find out 
just what reallv does go on there. 

/)'/// ( lin^iiiniscii 
Irdiiklin Cirow. III. 



The mission field is here 

Paul .Muneiev's article. "Does the 
Future Have a Chiu-ch'.'" (lebruary. 
page 22) is very significant. Mtisi sig- 
nif'icanl is the statement about the mis- 
sion held being on our doorstep. 

1 have served as Brethren pastor in a 
metropolitan area for almost 18 years, 
in a congregation that now has 18-55 
worshipers each Sunday morning. 
This congregation has given well to 
Church ol the Brethren mission pro- 
grams. But. it appears to be dving. 



It is dying because of a lack of re- 
sciurce people for leadership roles 
moving towaixl change or transforma- 
tion. This congregation is one of two 
Brethren churches in a metropolitan 
area that ci.intaiiis tner five million 
peo|ile. This congregation has strug- 
gled to change, but if it and all of us in 
the Church ol the Brethren are to con- 
sidci' ".Xnother way o\ living. Contin- 
uing the work of |esus. Peacefully. 
Simply. Together." or as |udy Mills 
Reimer has said, "present a window of 
faith" to allow others to see the 
uni(.]ueness ol our Brethren Christiani- 
ty, we need to see Mundey's challenge. 

The mission held is at our doorstep. 
We need to do more than let people see 
our uniciuely flavored laith. VVe need to 
become ojien doors bringing people in. 
Windows are difUcull passageways into 
any building. We need to consider the 
Church of the Brethren commissioning 
missionaries to the US. Maybe it is pos- 
sible to consider a new type of Brethren 
X'olunteer Service, like district BV'S. 

Mundey's cjuestion. "Does the 
future have a church?" can find an- 
swers in the Lord through us. Will we 

Dim I lini 
Detroit. \Uclr 



What's up with the cover? 

When the March Mtssi xc.lR came, my 
llist reaction was "What are thev up to 
now?" 1 had read Phil Grout's article 
(page 18) before I turned back to the 
front cover and made the ci^innection. 
Phil deserves a pat on the back for 
what he has done — and written about. 
( 'liiiiinccy Slhinihcriier 
Boi.^c. Idiiho 



Dialog helps to understand 

1 would like to commend you on the 
two articles on mental illness (March). 
Patiicia Roop Robinson was right to 
lobby the Messenger about this issue. 
I have been battling bipolar depres- 
sion most of my life. Like Phil Grout, 
I've done a lot of talking to God about 
mv condition. When I was 20 years 



32 Messenger Ma\ l<.19b 



old. I wrote God letters that 1 still 
have. I'm now 42. 

It grieves me that my 16-year-old 
daughter has had the disease for sever- 
al years. The medication that helps me 
also helps her. 

I have talked openly of my illness 
and been on the church prayer list. I 
feel that educating people about mental 
illness is the key to acceptance. Thus, I 
started a support group; we often talk 
about the spiritual aspects of the dis- 
ease. I encourage people to ask to be 
put on prayer lists, to ask for anoint- 
ing, and to ask friends to pray for 
them: I tell people to take advantage of 
every resource available to them. 

It has been a long journey for me to 
find my way out of the darkness of 
depression into the light of wellness. 1 
praise God that he has given me so 
many loving people in my life. 

1 will call attention to these articles 
in my congregation, hoping to reach 
others who are ill. and to teach others 
about our pain. 

God bless Patricia, Phil, and those at 
Messenger for these articles. 

Aline Huey 
Rockton. Pa. 



Stand up for inclusion 

In response to Cora Hunt's letter 
(February, page 50), I, too, know 
about conferences and the snubs one 
can receive while attending them. 

I am a member of the Brethren 
Church and have felt like an outsider 
many times. As a result, I have not 
attended the national conference in 
Ashland, Ohio, for many years. In 
spite of the snubs and the cold shoul- 
ders, I now realize that I am the one 
who has lost out. 

I don't believe the treatment is in- 
tentional: however, it does hurt to feel 
like a stranger. Don't give up! Stand 
up and express how you feel, perhaps 
we are oblivious to the fault. Make the 
church aware of what is wrong, then 
try to right that wrong. We, the body, 
are an extension of the love of lesus, 
and we need to be him, who said, "I 
will never forsake you." 

David Powell 
Longtou. Kan. 



Pontius' Puddle 



Nonce: Send puymeni fur repniiiiiiii 'Puiuiin ' Fiuljle" from Messenger 
to Joel Kaujjinann. 1 1 1 Curler Roml. Goshen. I\ 46526. $25 for one 
tone use $10 for second strip in saine issue. $10 for con^egalions. 



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^ Partners 
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Daily prayer guide: 

Sunday: \ouv congregation's ministries 

Monday: Annual Conference officers 

Tuesday: General Board and staff 

Wednesday: District executives, 

Bethany Seminary, colleges 

and uni\ersity 
Thursday: General Services 

Friday: Parish Ministries 
Saturday: World Ministries 

May prayer concerns: 

Congregation: National Day of 
Prayer. May 1: National Youth Sun- 
day. May 5; Mother's Day, May 12: 
Pentecost Sunday, May 26. 

Conference: Standing Committee 
members as they prepare for their pre- 
.Annual Conference meetings. 

General Board: General Secretary 
Search Committee; Redesign Steering 
Committee and subcommittees. 

Districts and schools: District Exe- 
cuti\e's cross-cultural event in Puerto 
Rico. May 16-18: Bethany Theolog- 
ical Seminary intensives — Narrative 
Tlicolog\- and Christian Spiritual 
Direction. 

General Services: "Fill the Ark," 
May 5-|une 2. 

Parish Ministries: Educare, May 5-5, 
Corapolis. Pa.: Rural and small 
churches — May 1 2 is Rural Life 
Sunday; Volunteer Summer Service 
orientation. May 24-5 1 . 

World Ministries: Two Honduran 
workcamps. May 15-25 and 21-51: 
people serving in .Africa and the Middle 
East: Dan Kjm, serving in Korea. 



Is there more to the circle? 

.Mier leading Dale Urown's arliele. "Can 
Christ be bolii e\eliisi\e and inckisi\e?" 
(Mareh. page 27). 1 had the op|iorlunily 
to sit ill on a cia.ss about Thomas Mer- 
lon (a inodeni-day Trappist monk who 
sought to live the eontemplati\'e life and 



From the 
Office of Human Resources 

Teachers. Business liducalion 
and Vocal Music. 

llillerest School, Nigeria 

This IS a special opportunity to teach in 
,1 k 12 international Christian school 
\\\[h an excellent reputation. 

Administrator/ 

Theological Educator. Sudan 

Theological Education by 

F.xtension (TEE) Program. 

/(>; iiuirc infonnalion call Mcrviit l\cciic\: 

Africa Miildlc l-^asl Rcprcscnlali\ 'c 

(800) 5J5-«t5y 

Office Manager/Store Clerk, On Earth 
Peace Assembly. New Windsor. Md. 

Responsibilities include: record keep- 
ing, banking, processing mail, and 
clerking in The Peace Place Resource 
Cenlei . 

Qualiticalions: general ofllee experi- 
ence, accounting, and computer profic- 
iency. Retail experience helpful. 

Posting date will elose May 15. KI^Ui 

/or nunc iiijtmnatiini contact \un 

Spindlci: Htiinan Rcsuiirccs. Brethren 

Service Center. 500 Main Street. .Veir 

Windsor MD 2!77b Tel {410) b~^5-S7S! 



to be an aetive peaeemaker). 

In ihtit ehiss. I heard a quote of 
Merlon's that he told to a visitor who 
had ju-sl entered into church member- 
ship. Merlon said. "1 have only one 
thing to say to you: The church is a 
very big place. Always remember to go 
your own way in it." 

This advice reminds me of what 
Brown may be trying to say to us 
Brethren, '^es. we as Christians do 
have boundaries. But what if the 
church were not only a big place, but a 
very big place? Could this be what has 
helped the Catholic church to survive 
in all of its diversity for 2000 years? 

Could there be more to the circle 
than what we have usually envisioned? 
Perhaps it is by seeing the Church as a 
very big place that we can continue to 
sing. "Shall the circle be unbroken?" 

Gail Eristnan Valeta 
Denver. Colo. 



Understanding our diversity 

Thank you so much lor the excellent 
article by Dale Brown in the March 
Messrnger. I found it extremely 
enlightening, and it helps me under- 
stand why some oi us cling so tightly 
to some texts while other passages 
seem so imperative to other people. 

Evelyn Frantz 
Harrisbiirg. Pa. 



CLASSIFIED ADS 



ANNOUNCEMENT— The 51st Annual Eastern CPS 
Reunion will be held Aug, 3-4. 1996. at Lancaster 
Mennonite High School. 2176 Lincoln Highway East, 
Lancaster, Pa Open to all who served in CPS Programs 
& registration forms will be sent to mailing list If you want 
on mailing list, or more info , contact John B Sauder. 
1001 E Oregon Road. Lititz. PA Tel (717) 560-4256 

ATTENTION— RV/tent campers, next time travelling 
(May-Sept) through southwestern Virginia, near 
Roanoke, matte Camp Bethel one of the stops Call Camp 
Bethel for site rates & availability, Tel (540) 992-2940, 

INVITATION— Shalom Church of the Brethren, a new & 
growing fellowship in Durham, N,C . invites Brethren 
moving to Research Tnangle area (Raleigh, Durham, 
Chapel Hill) to worship w/ us Eager to provide moving 
assistance (unloading, childcare, area info ) for those 
relocating to area For info , contact: Fellowship, PO 
Box 15607. Durham. NC 27704 Tel (919) 490-6422 
E-mail, ShalomCOB@A0L,C0M 

INVITATION — Considenng a move'' Continue your lourney 
of faith on a new frontier; come to Cartoll County, 111 
Become part of gathenng of canng people of faith with 
strong sense of community Three long-established 
Brethren congregations, each invested in the work of Chnst 
locally & in wider church Anabaptist community, agncul- 



turally based, multiple manufacfunng, production facilities 
Fertile rolling landscape overlooking Mississippi River in 
N W 111 Diligent supportive people, give high pnority to 
education, moral development Considenng a move'' Make 
It a lOurney of faith Contact: Carroll County Brethren, 326 
S High St,, Lanark, IL 61046. Tel, (815) 225-7812, 

TRAVEL— South Afnca Land of Nelson Mandela and 
Archbishop Tutu Jan 3-15,1997 Visit old Johannes- 
burg, Pretona, gold mine, Kruger National Park and other 
parks for big game safans, Swaziland, Zululand. Cape 
Town, and Cape of Good Hope Optional visit to Victona 
Falls For info , wnte: J, Kenneth Kreider 1300 Sheaffer 
Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, 

TRAVEL— Pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, & Greece Oct 
20-Nov 2, 1996 (14 days) You are invited to |Oin 
Wendell & Joan Bohrer on their 10th pilgnmage to the 
Holy Land Visit Jericho, Capernaum, Jerusalem, 
Hebron, the Dead Sea, Qumran, Petra, Athens, Delphi, 
and much more Cost $2,489 from New York For 
info, write or call 8520 Royal Meadow Drive, 
Indianapolis, IN 46217, Tel,/Fax (317) 882-5067, 

WANTED— Info about life of Barbara NIckey, MD 
Dianes, articles, letters, photos, personal memories, 
etc Wnte to: Jo Wampler R R 1 Box 269, Mountain 
City, TN 37683, Tel (423) 727-4722, 



34 Messenger Mav 1996 




New 
Members 

Note: Congregations are asked 
to submit only the names of 
actual new members of the 
denomination. Do not include 
names of people who have 
merely transferred their mem- 
bership from another Church of 
the Brethren congregation. 

BakersPidd. Pac. S.W.: Clarence 
& jewel] Johnson. Doris 
Ladd. Cheri & Chuck MiUer 

Bassett. Virlina: Marcus Stone 

Chiques. Atl. N.E.: [oshua 
Bowman, [ared Brandt. 
Naomy Brubaker. Kristin & 
Nicole Bruckhart. Lynette 
Ebersole. Vernon Heisey. 
Bryan Hoffer. .Anita Messick. 
Sarah Miller. Jordan 
VValgemuth. Evan White 

Copper Hill. Virlina: Patricia 
Conner. Sarah Gearhart. 
Alma Lou & Vester Manning. 
Eula Richards. Benson & 
Jason Williams. Dean Wood 

Danville. N. Ohio: Jara StoU. 
Mary Jo & Robert Wittel. 
Lisa Moreland 

Drexel Hill. .Atl. N.E.: Bradley 
& Eulalia Lowry 

Fairview. Mid. Atl.: Lee Cook: 
Ryan Forbes; Philip Mac- 
Donald: Chris. Daniele & 
Margaret Pennington: April 
WiUis 

Frederick. Mid. Atl.: 
Christopher & Rachel 
Arnold. Louise Cline, Lois 
Frederick. Joseph it Donna 
Gezelle. William Hawkins. 
Arrid Martin. Helen Mercer, 
Ronald Miller, Mary 
Zimmerman 

Germantown Brick. \'irlina: 
Susan Flora. Brandon Page 

Glendora. Pac. S.W: Caroline 
.Ace\edo; Kevin Carlson: 
Brenda Home: Kellee. 
Marjorie & Robert Preston; 
Jennifer Snyder; Carol, 
Joseph & Michael Vecchio; 
Brooke Wolf 

Greenlree, Atl. N.E.: Doug & 
Margaret Bosier. Gerald & 
Nancy Daywall. Barry 
Mallard, Barbara & Larry 
O'Neill. Mary- Elizabeth* 
Robert Ornisby, Nathan 
Raudenbush. Barry 
Shoemaker 
1 Hooversville. W. Pa.: John Witeof 

Mack Memorial. S. Ohio: 
Robin Cain, leff Hamilton, 
Rebecca Slough 

Maple Grove, N. Ohio: Jenna 
& Rusty Gortner 

Middle Creek, Atl. N.E.: Arlene, 
Edward, Nichelle. & Nathan 
Cinder; Joan Kline: Heather 
Long; Tessa Pclger: Gayle 
Schnupp: Bobbie Shonk 

Nappanee, N. Ind.: James 
Dunn: George Malcolm: 
Deena, Londa &. Mark 
Newcomer 
IRayman. W. Pa.: Rhoda Henry. 
Shirley Patton 

San Diego, Pac. S.W: Lee 



Albert. Pearl Hartz, Duane & 
Jill Johnson, Ellen Moomaw. 
Richard & Pat Stehlik 

Sunfield. Mich.: Ellen & loel 
Schelfer 

Syracuse. N. Ind.: lerry & 
Nancy Neibert 

Trotwood. S. Ohio: Megan 
Hoo\er; Bonnie. Robert & 
Trent Smith: David Tucci 

Welsh Run. .Mid. Atl.: Adam & 
Phillip E\ans. Caleb & 
Christy Long, Matthew 
Piper, April & Tonya Weller, 
Chad & Jeremy Witmer 

West Goshen, N. Jnd.: Mindy 
Lloyd. Anna Tubbs 

Westminster. Mid. Atl.: Particia 
tt Ted Burnett. Regina & 
Richard Hubble. Linda Tag- 
gart. Nancy & Stephen Uhlig 

Deaths 

Agee, Demus, 78, Eden, Va., 
Feb. 14. 1996 

Anstine. Albert. 95. Louisville. 
Ohio, Feb. 4. 1996 

Auker. David. 75, Ephrata, Pa.. 
Feb. 2. 1996 

Backus. Lola, 94, Greenville, 
Ohio, Feb, 5, 1996 

Baker, Dorotha, 68, Greenville, 
Ohio, Dec. 12. 1995 

Baker. Seth, 81, Greenwood, 
Del. Ian. 4. 1996 

Bakker. La Vonne. 79. Kingsley, 
Iowa, March 7. 1996 

Baldner. Milton. 87. Chambers- 
burg. Pa.. Feb. 18, 1996 

Barnhart. Frank, 100, Green- 
ville, Ohio. Nov, 27, 1995 

Bauerline. Andrew, 98, 

Hanover. Pa.. Feb. 20, 1996 

Blocher, Orvetta, 87, Flora, 
Ind., Dec. 28, 1995 

Bolt, Inez, lacksonville. Fla.. 
No\. 15. 1995 

Border. Clyde. Everett. Pa.. 
Dec. 4. 'l 995 

Bowman. Elizabeth. 85. Lan- 
caster, Pa.. Dec. 25. 1995 

Bremer. Bertha. 86. Kaiona, 
Iowa, Feb. 27. 1996 

Brown. Merle. 70. Favette\ille. 
Pa. Feb, 6. 1996 

Brumbaugh, Daniel, 84, 
Saxton, Pa.. Ian. 18. 1996 

Buckwalter. Beatrice, 71, New 
Holland, Pa,, Dec, 13, 1995 

Bullock, Russell. 80. Rossville. 
Ind.. Ian. 20. 1996 

Burkey, Gordon, 75, Lititz, Pa., 
Feb, 9, 1996 

Bushong, .Anna, Harrisonburg, 
Va., Feb. 1 9, 1 996 

Butler, Donald, 80, Rossville, 
Ind,, Jan. 22. 1996 

CarL Pauline. 77. Chambers- 
burg. Pa,, Feb. 9. 1996 

Click. Sharon. 26. Charlotte. 
N.C.. Feb. 6. 1996 

Coffman. Cleo, 92, Kaiona, 
Iowa, Feb. 17. 1996 

Coles, William, 74, Westmin- 
ster, Md.. Jan. 18. 1996 

Cornbower. Raymond, 85, 
Hanover, Pa,, Aug, 17, 1995 

Crabtree, Edward, 85, Bedford, 
Pa., .March 10, 1996 

Craun, Beulah, 86, Harrison- 
burg, Va„ Feb, 14. 1996 



Craun, Nelson, 76, Bridge- 
water, Va,. Feb, 12, 1996 
Crim, Kenneth, Greenville, 

Ohio, March 22, 1995 
Crouse, James, 82, Arcanum, 

Ohio, Feb, 19. 1996 
Crum, Elsie, 87, Waynesboro, 

Pa., Feb. 17. 1996 
Cubbage, William. 63. Midland. 

Va,. March 7. 1996 
Custer. Leonard. 86. Winona 

Lake. Ind.. March 10. 1996 
Damewood, Lloyd, S3, Modesto, 

Calif., Dec. 2'l. 1996 
Dantzic. Stanley. 50. Keyser. 

WVa.. lune \5. 1995 
DelPrato, Joseph, 37, West 

Chester, Pa., Dec, 1, 1995 
Dennison, Elwood, 88, 

Troutville, Va„ Feb. 1 2, 1 996 
Dinsmore, William H., 85. 

Troy. Ohio. Dec. 30. 1995 
Dove. Lessie. 102, Troutville, 

Va,. Jan. 13. 1996 
Dreibelbis. Ellen. 93. 

Lancaster. Pa.. Feb. 12. 1996 
Eikenberry. lohn. 76. Arcanum. 

Ohio, Dec, 7, 1994 
Elliott. Carl. 76. Hanover. Pa.. 

Jan 19. 1996 
England, Anna Mae, 95, San 

Diego, Cahf,, Feb, 14, 1996 
Enyeart. Truman, Silver Lake. 

Ind . March 14. 1995 
Farmer, lames. 71. Virden, 111,, 

Dec. 26, 1995 
Fells, H. William. 73. Sun City, 

Ariz,, Nov. 19. 1995 
Fisher, loseph. 81. Waynesboro. 

Pa.. Feb. 9, 1996 
Flinchum, Ethel. 96, Roanoke, 

Va„ March 10. 1996 
Foucht. Willard. SO. New 

Lexmgton. Ohio. .Aug. 8, 

1995 
Fowler, Elsie, 76, .Ashland, 

Ohio, March 2, 1996 
Frantz, Louise, 76, Blue Ridge, 

Va., Ian. 13, 1996 
Frantz, Rachel, 74, Buena 

\'ista, Colo,, Feb. 8, 1996 
Frantz, Rose, 93, Lansing, 

Mich., Feb. 19. 1996 
Garber. Clarence Sr., 89, 

Harrisonburg. Va,, Feb. 1 5. 

1996 
Gibson. Erald. 79. New 

Carlisle. Ohio. Ian. 25. 1996 
Godfrey. Ella. 85, New Oxford, 

Pa„ Feb. 6. 1996 
Goletz. ."Mbert, Phoeniz, Ariz,, 

Oct. 2, 1995 
Good, Bertha, 77, Lancaster, 

Pa,, March 11, 1996 
Good, Doris. 84. Troy, Ohio. 

Dec. 8. 1995 
Good. Robert, 88, Lancaster, 

Pa„ Oct. 25. 1995 
Griest, Mae, 84, East Berlin, 

Pa.. Feb. 29. 1 996 
Gross. Gazelle. 88. Vinton. Va., 

Ian. 10. 1996 
Guvelte. Isaac, 89, Stanley. 

Wis,, Dec, 26, 1995 
Guyton, Garland, Frederick, 

Md., .March 21, 1995 
Harman, Eva, 95. St. 

Petersburg. Fla,, Jan. S. 1996 
Harnlcy. Eugene, 84, East 

Petersburg, Pa., Feb. 1. 1996 
Hanslacker. Raymond. 63. 

Strasburg. Va.. Ian. 28. 1996 



Hay. William. 68. Friedens. Pa.. 

Oct. 31. 1996 
Heisey. Arthur. 78. Lebanon, 

Pa.' Ian. 28. 1996 
Hempfing. Curtis. 71, Hanover. 

Pa.. May I, 1995 
Hershey, Elwood, 78, Lititz, 

Pa., ian. 26, 1996 
Hildebrand, Georgie, 70, 

Waynesboro, Va„ Ian, 50, 1996 
Hirsch, Grace. 98. La Place. 

Ill . Feb. 27. 1996 
Hodges, Ruby F. 75. Phoenix, 

.Ariz., Dec' 31, 1995 
Holden, .Mary. 90. New Oxford. 

Pa.. Nov. 29. 1995 
Hollen. Mary. 92. Montezuma. 

Va., Feb, is, 1996 
Hoover, Kathryn, 81. East 

Berlin. Pa.. Jan. 30. 1996 
Hoover. Mervin. 77. Flora. 

Ind. Feb. 2. 1996 
Huffman. Warren. Harrison- 
burg. Va.. Julys. 1995 
Hughes. Bernard. 91. Troutville. 

Va.. Ian. 23, 1996 
Hunter. Nettie, 85, Manchester, 

Md., Feb 18, 1995 
lives, .Marv. 98. York. Pa.. Ian. 

" 10. 1996 
Jackson. Esther, 85, Norton, 

Kan., Ian. 17, 1996 
Johnson. Winona, 77, Warsaw, 

Ind., Nov, 16, 1995 
Joy, Glenn, 85, Garrett, Ind,, 

Dec. 15, 1995 
Kagarise, .Alice. 91. .Marlins- 
burg. Pa.. Nov. 1 995 
Keener. Evelyn. 85. Ashland. 

Ohio. Ian' 17. 1996 
Keller. Elsie. 89. Ephrata. Pa., 

Ian. 29, 1996 
Kelser, Olive, 82. Bridgewater, 

Va„ Dec, 50, 1995 " 
Keovichith, Oudong, Monrovia, 

Md.. Feb. 22. 1996 
Kidwell. \'elma. 89. Harrison- 
burg. Va.. Ian. 29. 1996 
KJotz. .Vl\'in, 74. Indianapolis. 

Ind,, Feb, 25, 1996 
Kniceley, Doris, Woodstock, 

Va., bee. 9. 1995 
Kohne. Irvin. Sr., 76, Waldorf, 

Md,, Feb, 5, 1996 
Latschaw, Kenneth Sr,, 76, 

York, Pa,, March 6, 1996 
Lcwellan, Duane, 57, Newville, 

Pa„ Ian. 26, 1996 
tiller, Helen. 85. Keyser. WVa.. 

Nov. 16. 1995 
Lindower. Jason Sr.. 88. 

Toledo. Ohio. Sept. 1 8. 1 993 
Longenecker. Dorothy. 72. 

Reading. Pa.. Dec. 19. 1995 
Mahonev. Dorothy. 88. La 

Verne. Calif.. Dec. 5. 1995 
Martin. Matthew. 18. West- 
minster. Md„ Feb, 20, 1996 
Martin, Pearl, 69. Leola. Pa.. 

Ian. 7, 1996 
Mason, Peggy, Greenville, Ohio, 

,March 22,' 1995 
Maybel, Martin, 89, Danville, 

Ohio, Ian, 19, 1996 
McCaffery, Charles, 76, '^'ork. 

Pa., Ian, 26, 1996 
McCraw, Glen, 85, Bassett, Va,, 

Feb, 12. 1996 
McKenzie. Rosalee. 79. 

Bountiful. Utah. Ian. 16. 199e 
McMane. Esther. Phoenix. 

Ariz., lune 13, 1995 



Metts, Irene, Davton, Va., Oct. 
2. 1995 

Metzger. .Marjorie. 69, Ross- 
ville, Ind,. Nov. 14, 1995 

Miller, Charlotte, 70, Harrison- 
burg, Va,, Jan, 24. 1996 

Miller. Douglas. 53. Baker. 
WVa.. Feb. 10. 1996 

Miller, Galen, 83, Glendale, 
Ai-iz„ Ian, 5, 1996 

Miller, Preston, SI, Keyser, 
W.Va,, Nov. 24, 1995 

Miller, Raymond, 83, St. Peters- 
burg, Ra., Oct. 21. 1995 

Miller. Stephanie. 17. Harrison- 
burg. Va., April 27. 1995 

Mummert. Paul. 81. Hanover, 
Pa.. Feb. 26. 1995 

Myer. Emina. 97. Ephrata. Pa., 
Dec. 9. 1995 

Myer. Llovd. 74. Kensington. 
Md.. Feb. 16. 1996 

Myers. Calvin. 89. York. Pa.. 
Ian. 16. 1996 

Nolt. William. Sr., 85, Miller, 
Md,, lune 17, 1995 

Nyce, William, 71, Westminster, 
.Md„ Feb, 25, 1996 

Ober, .Mildred, St, Petersburg, 
Fla., Sept, 17, 1995 

Pence, Myrvin, 97, Weyers 
Cave, Va„ Feb, 8, 1996 

Pennington, Hattie, 79, 

Hopewell. Va„ Feb. 6. 1996 

Pepple. lohnny. Everett. Pa.. 
Nov. 27. 1995 

Popejov. Lesta. 79. Flora. Ind.. 
Aug' 22, 1995 

Pote. Charles. 92. Cushing. 
Okla.. Feb. 4. 1996 

Pruitt. Promise. 89. Wintz. Va., 
Ian. 15. 1996 

Quick. Henrv. 86. Staunton. 
Va.. Feb. 14. 1996 

Reed. Ellen. 70, Bassett. Va.. 
Sept. 15. 1995 

Reed. Grav. 70. Levvistovvn. Pa., 
Dec, 24. 1995 

Reedy, Ward, 78, Broadway, 
Va',, Ian, 30, 1996 

Roberson, Edna. 82, La Verne, 
Calif., Dec, 29, 1995 

Rockenbaugh, Ray, 91, West 
Goshen, Ind.. Ian. 27. 1996 

Rohrer. Pearl. 98. Greenville. 
Ohio. Feb. 29. 1996 

Rook. Carrie. 88. WavTiesboro. 
Pa.. Dec. 18. 1995 

Rose. Wayne. 54. Bassett. Va.. 
Sept. 20. 1996 

Royer. Lillian. 97, New Oxford, 
Pa„ Jan, 30, 1996 

Rule, Wayne, 81, Norton, Kan,, 
Dec. 2'5. 1995 

Runion. Herman. 65, Staunton, 
\a., Feb 22. 1996 

Rupp, Marv, NJiller. iMd„ Oct, 
21, I''ci5 

Sandbridge, Marv, 89, Bridge- 
water, Va.. Feb. II. 1996 

Sauder. .Margaret. 84. Broad- 
way. Va,. Dec. 16. 1995 

Saul. Galen. 71. Roanoke. Va.. 
Ian. 8. 1996 

Schaller. Isabelle. 76. Waynes- 
boro. Pa.. Ian. 4. 1996' 

Schultz. Dorothv. 87. La Verne. 
Calif.. Dec. 20, 1995 

Scnsenig, ,Adin, 56, Ephrata. 
Pa.. Feb. 2. 1996 

Sheffer. Edward, 69, ^brk, Pa,. 
Ian. 50. 1996 



May 1 996 Messetiger 35 



Ends and beginnings 



In \ irgiiiia. the "Hli/zaid o\ ''Ob." wliicli ushcicd 
in ilic new yaw. will kmg be lenienibered. I'or the 
next nionlli. snow siornis were a regular weekend 
occunvnee. Word got arouml thai ihe really "big 
one" was going lo hit al ihe end ol Mareli. Rut at 
this writing, it i^ eail\ Aitiil, and thai prediction 
has lost iis punch. 

Spiing is on its was. although it is a late one. 
Easter was an Apiil event this year, but the holiday 
had to make do without the llowering burst ol 
spring liiat is as important lo our image ol Easter 
as wintr\ snow and evergreens are to Christmas. 

1 ha\e had the privilege this \ear ol being back 
home in X'irginia as spring appioached. lo one 
who was bred and born in these hills, there is 
nothing like teuiching the soil aiul witnessing the 
emerging signs ol new lite to renew one's faith and 
revive one's spirit. I was outside every chance I 
got. but not eiuiugh. what with the capricious 
turns ol weathei'. 

One dav I was searching lor what signs 1 might 
find ol an ancestor's cabin, working with only the 
vague directions given to me by my mother before 
her death, directions remembered from her girl- 
hood. Aftci' enduring a sudden thunderstorm in the 
woods. I lound the site, marked partly by a stone 
chimney lemnant and a spring. I was happy to 
have trium|ihcd in the discovery, but what really 
gladdened my heart was the sight of daffodils 
blooming in the vard. The home had been aban- 
doned in the l8Q0s. but the hardy little tlowers 
kept the faith, coming up and blooming each 
March tor over a iiundred yeais. Consider the lilies 
of the field. Consider the daftodils of the forest. 

Mother and her sister had taken home some of 
the daffodils and planted them, over 75 years ago. 
It pleased me to do the same. 

On another day. I climbed Blue Knob, a promi- 
nent peak locallv. and one that 1 had long laid off 
to ascend. All the way up, from the branch in the 
hollow at the bottom, where pretty yellow trout 
lilies bloomed in |irofusion. to the peak, where 
twisted, stunted oaks clung to the rocky soil with 
bare roots that looked like gnarled hands, the 
scene was a constant reminder ol how our human 
life mirrors that of plant life, depending on cir- 
cumstances, we llourish in shaded glades by the 
streams, or we hold tenaciously to rocky hilltops, 
shaped by the winds that blow there, ^et. in all cir- 



cumstances. God is there, watching over us. "We 
blossom and nt)urish. like leaves on the tree: we 
wither and perish, but naught changeth thee." 

As 1 pruned the aging Iruit trees at the home- 
place, so that the larmer who cuts the hay can get 
under them, and as 1 raked the lawn, preparatory 
to another season of mowing — in fact, as I per- 
lornied each springtime task or took each ramble 
in the woods — I felt overwhelmed by the presence 
ol God. riie images 1 project here are not new 
ones to the writer, nor to the reader, but remark- 
ably they can kindle the senses as if they were 
being experienced for the first time. 

Easter came with the church services that 
remind us of Christ's death and resurrection. l?ut. 
tor me. it is an incomplete Easter experience 
unless I have been in touch with God's world 
around me, moving in rhythm with the earth's 
pulses. It is fulfilling to have weathered another 
winter — rejoicing in the arrival of spring. Death 
and resurrection, the essence of our earthly experi- 
ence as well as our spiiitual life. 



M, 



.\ mother died at Easter a year ago. The 
spring of 1995 was an early one. and at Easter the 
whole world seemed abloom. I can't remember my 
mother's passage to eternity without seeing the 
way decked with springtime azaleas, dogwood, 
redbud, and garden fiowers. 

"In our end is our beginning: 
in our time, infinity: 

In our doubt there is believing: 
in our life, eternity: " 

In our death, a resurrection; 
at the last, a victory: 

Unrevealed until its season, 
something God alone can see." 

Spiing arrived late in 199b, and spells of freezing 
temiieialures muted the colors that had been so 
glorious in 1995, But the "big one" that was fore- 
cast never showed up, which was a consolation. 
And there is always next year to look forward to. 
[•or the believer, knowing that ends are begin- 
nings, that in death is resurrection, that at the last 
is victory . , , that's a promise to live with and find 
life in.— K.T 



36 Messenger .Mav 1990 




Church of the Brethren June 1996 





mitsm 



Is this 
your child's 

best friend? 



As 1 woikcd Willi the ick'v isioii xicwiiii; .iiliclcs In IKiwnnl 
l\o\ci' aiul Sicwarl llcuncr (p;iycs II 1 i). I IkkI hnnighl 
back 111 ihjikI WW \c>ii"s pjicntinj; a lilllc bo\ who spciil a K>1 
ol limo waichin;; tclc\ ision. I <illcniptccl In lUi wli.il was 
ail\iscil L'xcn ihcn \ov pai'cnis iii tlo: I walclicd \\ wilh iin 
son aiul i.lisciissci.1 wluil was on llic sciccn. I ikm'l make an\ 
biu biags about how mKul a job 1 Jitk I Jo icnK'nibci some 
ol It w lib a nostalgic sniilc. 

Line (.'hnsimas scistin. I pcrsLiatlctl m\ son to loigo some- 
thing: he wanted to wateh and join m\ wile and nie in listen- 
ing to a L'hieago nuisie gioup perlorm 
selections lioni "Messiah," lie agieeik 
with misgi\ings. and sal griniK besitie 
us lor awhile. The choir was into that 
"stuck record" part where the\ repeat 
cner and i,ner "I oi we like sheep , . . lor 
we like sheep " L liable to contain hiiii- 
sell, my son burst out. "Sti. we like 
sheep. So what?" 

We got along more aniiablv watch- 
ing Saturday morning cartoons 
liigether. I'hat was because I as a boy 
back in prelA days dearly loved car- 
loons. e\en though I very sekkmi got 
lo the nioxies. What grated on my 
son's nerves was m\ ongoing biting 
crilii.|ue ol todas's cartoons, so \aslly 
inleiior in technical qualih to those ol 
m\ da\. I don't think I ever got 
iirciund to dealing with the \iolence. si_> 
sidetracked was I b\ reniembeiing 
Disney animation ol the l'-')40s. 
I doll 1 know what iii\ 27-\ear-old son watches today, nor 
how girded he is against IX s inlluence Iroin our da\s ol 
Howurd Rover's watching programs together. I do know I don't need the \''- 
cirticlc ami i/cirj/ijy Chip or any other scilution to "l'\"s \ic)lenee and other draw- 
lips ipiiiic II) uill be Ixicks. .\1\ little nest eiiipt\ ol iiii|iressionable children. I 

lu'lpful reading. lurnetl oil the tell\ lor good. .And (in ease you are woiuler- 
inu) \es, I lun'c read some good books lately. 



Vol 145, No 6 June 1996 




Worrxitifi about your 
chilli's television fare'? 



^^U^i/yni^^yUs^/n-^ii^^ 



rci:M:lLd pjpLi 



® 



COMING NEXT MONTH: A cluster ol articles on 
esangelism. new -church development, and holistic outreach. 
Also, a tribute to our magazine's kiunder. I ieiii \ Kurtz. 
born 200 vears aijo. |ulv 22. 1 7QCi. 




Editor 

Keimon Thomasson 

Managing Editor 

Neviii DiilJbaiiiii 

Editorial Assistant 

Paula Wilding 

Production. Advertising 

Paul Stocksdale 

Subscriptions 

Vicki Roche, Maitha Cupp 

Promotion 

Linda Myers Swanson 

Study Guide Writer 

Willard Diilabaum 

Publisher 

Dale Minnich 

Disirici Messenger rcprcscnlalivcs: 

\ll.iiilk Niiilhfjsl, Run t.ul/, ,\ll,inln: 
SihiiIhmsi kuin RjMiifi-. Illimiis \\ is- 
n'lism KicsU>n I ipsLomh; Suulll Cciili.il 
huh. in. I, M.ii|oiic Milk-r; Michiijan, Ken 
CliH'il: Mid-Alkinht, ,Ann toiils; 
Missdiiri Ai*k.ins;is. t.uci Liiiidcs; NutllHin 
I'l.iins, [.Mill Stri.ni: Noilhi-rn Ohio. \Wc 
I llrULT. Suulhein Clhiu. kick Klnu-; 
Diegon Wiishinglon. MarguenlL- 
Sli.inibcrgcf: i'deihc Suulhwcsl. Riiiuly 
\lillo; Middle tVnns\l\iiniii. F.v.i Wuniplcr; 
Suiiihon IVnnssKjnid. t-dnicr O C'lcini: 
Wesicrn IVnns\KanKi. Ia\ Chnslni.-r; 
SlHii.indujh. I ini H.it\c\; Suiilhon 
I'l.ims. \t.ii-\ ,Ann I VII, \irlin.i Ion Will; 
Wtslcm 1'l.iins, l\jii lluniiiui Wisl 
M.ir\.i U'iiK>mii SputgLi'ii 

Mtsscngo IS the ullkuil puhlieatKin tit 
i1k Chuixli ul ihc RiL-thrcn tinlcicd .is 
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undo ,Ai.l ol Congress ol CKl I" 1^117 
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Press and a subseiihei lo 
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rC 
P 




Should TV get away with murder? 1 1 

During the recent Christian Citizenship Seminar, 80 Brethren yuutii 
came to grips with television's negative impact on their lives. Howard 
Royer, who was with the youth, talks about Brethren living "peace- 
fully, simply, together" in a media culture that promotes just the 
opposite. Sidebar: Tips tor TV viewing. 

The V-Chip: Problem or solution? 14 

Stewart Hoover explains how the "V-Chip" is supposed to keep chil- 
dren trom seeing harmful TV programs. But, he asks, is the V-Chip 
what's really needed'.' 



I In Touch 2 
Close to Home 4 

I News 6 

! In Brief 10 

.Stepping Stones 16 

I From the 

General Secretary 27 

(Letters 28 
Pontius' Puddle 2Q 
Partners in Prayer 50 

iTurning Points 5 1 

.Editorial 32 



Keeping the spirit of Beijing alive 1 7 

Amanda Vender tells how last summer's World Conference on 
Women is being followed up by action to carry out the resolves of the 
women who met in Beijing. Sidebars: The "Platform for Action" and 
suggestions for supportive activities. 

Frank Sinatra doesn't live here anymore 20 

People who feel compelled to control things wreck many a 
Brethren congregation. Paul Mundey calls for church members to 
be "new people . . . permission-giving, risk-taking. Holy Spirit 
empowered people." 

Another man from Galilee 25 

If Elias Chacour sounds like a preacher just down from the Mount, it 
may have something to do with his being a Galilean. But, as Richard 
Kauffman's interview shows, Elias Chacour, for whatever reasons, 
takes the Beatitudes seriouslv . . . and lives them out. 




Cover story: At the l^^QG 
Christian Citizenship Seminar, 
Nevin Domer, of Union 
Bridge (Md.) Church of the 
Brethren, asks a question of a 
Clinton administration official 
as 80 Brethren youth learn 
about the negative impact of 
television on viewers. Much of 
the insidious programming 
targets children and vouth. On 
pages 1 1-15, Howard Royer 
and Stewart Hoover discuss 
ways to counteract the televi- 
sion industry's wiles. (Cover 
photo by Nevin Dulabaum.) 



Correction: May, page 9: 
Charlotte, N,C., is in South- 
casteiMi District, not X'irlina. 



liinc 1 '■>1b .Messenger 1 



Ill 1)11(11 



Carrying the torch 

Hal Forney r;iii tlii\)ut;li llic 
si reels ot S;in l)iL\mi on \piil 
28. No Old Tcslanicnt 
pi'0]ihct ini|X'i-son;iloi. ihc 
S;ni Diego (Calil.) C'hureli ol 
ihe l^retliren member \\;is 
c;ii rxing llie Olympic loivh. 
one ol ihe num\ "C'oiiimu 
, ^ nii\ I Icroc^" 
lu'ilj cluiscn b\ llniled 
I \\;iv and llie 
^^ 01\nipie L'onimil- 
I', tee loi' this honeir. 
n \ Hal. an ortho- 

ij 1 pedie suigeun. 
"^ j was eluisen tor 

y^ his unsellish 

I vokinleei' nietlieal 

.-• work. 0\er ihe pasl 1 7 

\ears he has made 14 \i)l- 
unleer lri|"is lo eounlries 
such as Soulh Korea. I'ak- 
isiaii. haq. Bosnia, and Zaire 
(March UT-U). page 5. and 
February l'-T-T2. page b). 

lor his San Oiego perfor- 
mance, il helped ihal Hal is 
an a\ id nmiier. who has 
eompeled in evcnls such as 
tlu' Bosioii Maralhon. 



Kudos from a Kennedy 

As a uiLing woman. 1-unice 
Kennedy Shri\er was iiiler- 
esied in women prisoners 
and iheir Ircalmenl. and paid 
an cMended \isil in IOtO lo 
the I'ederal I'enilentiary for 
Women in .Alderson. W.Va. 
Hal Forney carried Ihere she became acquainled 
lite Olympic torch nol only wilh ihe prisoners 
bill wilh three voung wiimen 
on project at Alderson as 
l^relhren Volunteer Service 
(BVS) workers. 

'I'his was U) years before 
Eunice s brother lack 
became president o( the 
United Slates, so, ironically. 




throiinh Sun Dic^o. 



ihe 15\ Sers did nol alter 
ward rcmcmbci- the lulure 
lircsidenl's sislcr. but she 
cerlainl\ lemcmbered ihem. 

In a lO^M book. Ilw 
Kennedy Women, by Lau- 
rence I eamer (\ ijlartl 
Books. New York). 1 unice 
tells about meeting the 
B\ Sers and being impressed 
b\ ihem. 

On a sollball liekl al Akler- 
son she lalkcil lo a "young 
atlracti\'c redheaded jilayer 
. . . laughing and cheering as 
il this were the World Series." 
Eunice was surprised to learn 
she was not an inmate, bui 
B\ Ser Catherine (Katie) 
Millsap. ol Idgonier, I'a. 

As the book records, to 



Bultcrbaugli (all members 
of BVS Unit 7, June I '050). 
"'Ihey were superb examples 
ol what can be done by the 
average citizen lo help those 
whose dislortetl and shal- 
tereil lives have brt)ught 
ihem within the confines of 
a relorniatory," 

LInloilimaleK. bv the 
Iniie the 1004 book was 
writkn. liunice couldn't 
come up with the right 
name lor the volunteer 
grou|"i that so impressed 
her. and rclened to the 
BVSers as members ol "the 
United World Brethren." 
But her impiession still 
holds, and what she said 
abeuil BVS is heady stuff. 



'// 



mmv 






"III Toueh" pnifilcf. liivlhrcii in- 
wiiidcl like you Id iiicci Scihl 
sUiry ideas and phouis lo "In 
I'oiieh." Ml SSI M.,1 K. Nil 
Dundee Ave. IJfiiii. II. WI20. 



lumice "this idea ol lilhing 
one's life, giving up a year 
or Iwc), was new and excit- 
ing " Later she remem- 
bered. "Never in my life 
have I seen a more inspiring 
example of Christian ser- 
vice." She went on lo say ol 
Katie. Mary Lou Zimmer- 
man, and Donna 



coming from one whose 
husband is Sargent Shriver. 
liisl director of |ohn F. 
Kennedy's Peace Corps. 

Kiiiic Millsap (liiiir Hrisiull liivs 
111 I'll and liiiieiion. Colo.: Man,' 
I. oil /.iiivnerinan (now I'rills) lives 
III Si relershiirfi. I la., and noniia 
Biiiicrhaufih imnv l.ehinanl lives in 

Um. Ill 



2 Messenger Iuik- IQQb 




A checkered present 

Watch it. ionny, it you take 
on Mabel Ebersole in a 

checker game (and she's 
always on the lookout for a 
challenger). Don't let 
appearances fool you. This 
resident of Ephrata (Pa.) 
Manor has been playing 
checkers a long time. (Presi- 
dent Benjamin Harrison was 
just a few weeks away from 
turning the White House 
back to Grover Cleveland 
when Mabel was born in 
I8Q5.) 

Life these days involves a 
lot of sitting, but Mabel 
does enjoy a rousing game 
of checkers . . .and she wins 
almost every time. Her hus- 
band of 12 years. John, died 
in 1^86 at age 95. When he 
was sick in his last years. 
Mabel honed her checkers 
skills playing game after 
game with him. "It was our 
pastime." she says. "It made 
him concentrate and it chal- 
lenged him. I think it made 
him feel better." Mabel and 



At 105, Mabel 
Ebersole enjoys 
playing checkers 
with all comers and 
pushing wheelchairs 
for her disabled 
friends. 



lohn were life-long mem- 
bers of Mohler Church of 
the Brethren, in Ephrata. 

Playing checkers demon- 
strates Mabel's mental 
alertness. Her volunteerism 
demonstrates her continued 
physical ability. When it's 
time for manor residents to 
attend services, meals, or 
other activities. Mabel may 
be seen pushing a wheelchair 
for someone unable to walk. 

Folks marvel that a 103- 
year-old woman is pushing 
wheelchairs, but Mabel dis- 
misses it matter of factly: "I 
can walk just as good push- 
ing somebody as walking 
alone." 

So Mabel pushes on . . . 
and her checkered past and 
present beckon forward to 
the future. Checkers, any- 
one? 



Names in the news 

Alvin Conner, a member of 
Manassas ('Va.) Church of 
the Brethren, received the 
honorary degree Doctor of 
Humane Letters at Bridge - 
water College's April 1 1 
Founder' Day convocation. 
• Two Manchester Col- 
lege graduates have received 
Fulbright Scholarships and 
will be in Germany during 
the 1QQ6-IQ97 academic 
year. Jedd Schrock. a mem- 
ber of Highland Avenue 
Church of the Brethren in 



Elgin. 111. will teach English 
in a German high school. 
Angela Rogers, a member 
of Manchester Church of 
the Brethren in North Man- 
chester, Ind.. will study 
human biology at Marburg 
Uni\ersity in Germany. 

• Marjorie and Richard 
Biglcr. members of Goshen 
(ind.) City Church of the 
Brethren, received honorary 
degrees from Manchester 
College at the May 19 com- 
mencement. The Biglers 
established an endowed 
scholarship fund in 1989, to 
which they gave $1 million. 

• Phil Burkholder. a 
member ol Florence Church 
of the Brethren. Constantine, 
Mich., began a three-year 
term in lanuary as executive 
director of the National 
interreligious Service Board 
for Conscientious Objectors 
(NISBCO), headquartered 
in Washington. D.C. 

• Eric Bachman. a 
member of Midway Church 
of the Brethren. Lebanon. 
Pa., received the 199b 
Brethren Peacemaker of the 
Year award from Atlantic 
Northeast District's 
Brethren Peace Fellowship. 
Eric, who lives in Germany, 
has conducted seminars on 
peace issues, trained people 
for nonviolent action and 
resolution, and prepared 
volunteers for work in other 
countries. 

• Hiram (. Frysinger 
was honored |une 2 by a 
gathering o\ his family and 
friends at Lebanon Valley 
Brethren Home. Palmyra, 
Pa., marking the 50th 
anniversary of the "filmstrip 
library" he founded (now- 
called tiie Audiosisual 
Library). (See Ml^SSliNGER. 
|une 1975. page 2.) 



• Donald B. Kraybill, 

who has taught at Elizabeth- 
town College since 1971 
and authored 1 4 books in 
the areas of sociology and 
anthropology, begins |uly 1 
as provost of Messiah Col- 
lege, Grantham, Pa. 



Remembered 

Mary Piatt Faw, 87, died 
March 26 in McPherson, 
Kan. She and her husband. 
Chalmer. served as 
missionaries in Nigeria 
1959-1945 and 1965-1976. 
• Ivan Fry, 7 1 , died April 
14 in Fort Wayne. Ind. 
Besides serving in several 
pastorates, he served 
1955-1957 as Brethren Vol- 
unteer Service (BVS) 
training director and 
1994-1995 as interim 
director of BVS. At the time 
of his death he was director 
of the Habitat for Humanity 




£? 

O 



I I'll II Irv 

pioject in Cincinnati that 
will be carried out during 
Annual Conference there 
next month. 

• Lois Teach Paul. 78. 
died .4pril 16 in Elgin, ill. 
She served on the General 
Board staff as managing 
editor o\ Agciidci 
1974-1977. 



luiK' UI^Ut Messenger 3 





Becoming Bible literates 

Columbia City (Iiul.) 
Church of the Urclhrcn 
challenged its ineniheis to 
read the New Testament 
through a structured jiro- 
grain enei' I '•> weeks. 
Sixteen adults read at least 



stor\ a day lor the chil- 
dren, lo encourage each 
other, leaders made 
weekly reports during the 
Sunday worship services, 
reilecting on the past 
week's reading. 

Reading goals reached 
were reported on paper 




Hihlc readers at 

Columbia City surround 

their "learning tree. " 

which reflects their 

achiei'ement. 



"Close lo Home hisihliiihis 
(iCH'.v of coiti;ivi;iiuoits. (/(.wnc/.v. 
colleges, homes, iiiul oilier locul 
mid regional life. Seiul slorv 
ideas and pliolos lo "Close lo 
Home." .Mrssi Nc.i.K. /-/i/ 
Dundee Ave.. Elgin. II. WIJU 



10 ot the 1 3 leadings, and 
lour children had daily 
Bible stories read to them. 
The monthly schedules 
included three chapters a 
day for the New Testament 
goal, one chapter a day lor 
the Gospels, and one Hiblc 



This and that 

IJexen Krelhren workers lioni 
Pennsylvania participated in a 
workcamp in the Dominican 
Republic |anuar\ Ib-lebru- 
ary 5. The group rebuilt a 
church in Villa Nizao. 
Paraiso, that was destroyed by 
a flood. The workers repre- 
sented seven churches: 



leaves, signed, and 
attached to a bare tree at 
the back of the sanctuary. 
The project ended with a 
meal and celebration pro- 
gram. — Dwi: BiiJ 

ITclve Hell is jhislor of Coliim- 
hia CilY Cliiireli oj die Hreiliren 



I-ampe(cr: Martinsbiirg 
Memorial; Curryviilc; 
Everett; Woodbury; 
Concwago. in Herslies; aiul 
Florin, in Moimt |o\. While 
ill the 1 )oininican Republic 
the PennsyKanians attended 
the fifth .Annual AssembK of 
the Dominican Church of 
the Brethren congregations 
(.April, page 12). 



• Trinity Church ol the 
Brethren in Sabetha. Kan., 
hosted a Western Plains 

District Area Three rally. 
March 24. Besides Trinity, 
participating congregations 
were Lincoln (Neb.); Bethel. 
Carlton. Neb.; Holmesville 
(Neb.); and Washington 
(Kan.). .Among the activities, 
a Trinity group portrayed an 
liSQOs church council meet- 
ing based on actual council 
minutes. Several members 
were expelled for attending a 
county fair. A sister was 
expelled for having a man 
slaying at her house who 
was not her husband. .And a 
brother was expelled loi' 
wearing a "military" beard. 

• When Faith Commu- 
nity fellowship at the 
Biethren Home in New 
l.)xlord, Pa., ended f-IQl 
with a surplus o( $7,440 in 
its treasury, it donated the 
monc\ lo the Cicncral Board. 



Back to Puerto Rico 

file lies between Bremen 
(Ind.) Church of the 
Biethren and Puerto Rico 
go back to Workl War II 
limes, when Homer Burke 
of Bremen helped establish a 
luispita! in the PliciIo Ricaii 
\illage of Castaner. Dick 
Corl and Fern Kring rroche 
were other Bremen mem- 
bers who worked at 
Castaner in the '40s. 

So it fell natural lo renew 
those ties when Bremen 
decided in IQ04 to partici- 
Piite in projects with Caimito 
lillcsici dc los Hcnihiiios 
(Church of the Brethren) in 
a suburb ol Puerte) Rico's 
capital. San juan. 

In february a group ol 



4 Messenger lime l'-l^)ti 




Among the projects of Bremen Brethren in Puerto Rico 
was installing a tile floor in the Caimito church sanctuary. 



Bremen members made the 
eongregation's fourth mis- 
sion trip to Caimito. While 
there they painted a house 
they earlier had bought and 
renovated and laid floor tile 
in the Caimito church. 

Bremen also has donated 
28 goats, pigs, and rabbits 
and 100 chicks to the Small 
Animal Project, begun by 
Caimito with Bremen help 
(January 1P95, page 4). 



Campus comments 

Elizabethtown College's 

new Leffler Chapel and Per 
formance Center was 
dedicated lanuary 28. It 
provides a central place of 
worship on campus as well 
as a place to showcase 
the creative talents of 
student musi- 



cians, faculty, and profes- 
sional artists. 

• Dubois Business Col- 
lege is opening a branch 
campus at Juniata College, 
offering 18-month associate 
degrees in specialized busi- 
ness programs and nine- 
month diploma programs in 
accounting and stenogra- 
phy. "Together we are 
providing a full range of 
post -secondary educational 
opportunities to the people 
of Huntingdon County," 
said luniata's president. 
Bob Neff. 

• On April 22. the 
Peace Studies Institute of 
Manchester College ded- 
icated a peace pole | 
erected near the presi- 1 



dent's house. Peace Poles 
are poles inscribed in differ- 
ent languages with the 
words "May Peace Prevail 
on Earth." There are about 
100,000 such poles in 160 
countries. 

• A May 1 I convocation 
at McPherson College rec- 
ognized President Paul 
Hoffman and celebrated his 
20-year tenure. He is retir- 
ing at the end of August 
(April, page ^). 

• Artist P Buckley Moss 
has donated 500 copies of a 
limited-edition print of 
Bridgewater College's 
Memorial Hall to the school 
to fund a scholarship for 
special education teachers. 
The prints are on sale for 
S94 each at the college 
bookstore. Moss is famous 
for her "simple living" 
scenes of the rural Shenan- 
doah Valley. 

• Elizabethtown 
College's ^bung Center is 
hosting a multidiscipli- 

' nary conference on 

"Church-related Institu- 
tions" lune 15-15. The 
focus is on the future 
of Church of the 
Brethren and Men- 
! nonite institutions. 
I Among the presen- 
ters is Brethren 
historian Don 
Durnbaugh. 



Leffler Chapel W 
and Perfiiniiiince •»,,,',• 

Center '^^^ 




• University of La Verne 

students have been working 
to clean up a nearby nature 
center's one-acre pond and 
ensure its biological balance. 
The pond, overgrown with 
algae and plants, was being 
treated with chemicals. But 
the students are helping to 
manage the pond naturally. 
In their cleanup they 
removed b,000 pounds of 
cattails. 

• McPherson College's 
1996 Religious Heritage 
Lecture, March 51 -April 1, 
featured |ohn Gingrich, 
dean of the College of Arts 
and Sciences of the Univer- 
sity of La Verne. His topic 
was "Coloring Outside the 
Lines: Theological and Edu- 
cational Necessities." 



Let's celebrate 

Boise Valley Church of the 
Brethren. Meridian, Idaho, 
will mark its 90th anni\'er- 
sai'y lune 15-16 with a 
Saturday evening dinner 
and service, followed by 
Sunday morning service and 
noon potluck. 

• Staunton (Va.) Church 
of the Brethren is celebrating 
its centennial throughout 
1996. A special invitation is 
extended for the centennial 
homecoming November 5. 
Bob Richards will preach at 
the morning service, with a 
meal and afternoon festi\i- 
ties following. 

• Brethren Village, Lan- 
caster, Pa., is obser\ing its 
centennial from mid- 1996 
through mid- 1997. A calen- 
dar of events was published 
in the March/April issue of 
the retirement home's 
newsletter, R\ \ illcificr. 



lune IQi-lei .Messengers 




'My 20 worth' helps feed 
homeless in Washington 

Tlic largcsl-c\cr giant allucaled within 
tho Lis by the Global I'ood Crisis 
I'uikI was grantctl April 10 to the 




The Soup Kitchen, which 
provides about 160 meals 
each weekday to Wash- 
ington. D.C.. homeless, 
recently received the 
largest grant ever allo- 
cated stateside by the 
Global Food Crisis Fund. 
The Kitchen is run by the 
Washington City Church 
of the Brethren. 



The )ii'ii> pugc^ inchidf news of Cliuri.ii of the 
Brahrcn organizctiionf and member^., and oforga- 
ni-iilions tind [Voplc ol intcrcf^l to or affihatcd 
Willi the Church of the Brethren, ^^^l•^ iieins are 
intended to inform- — they do not necessarily rep- 
resent the opinions of Messenger or tlie General 
Hoard, and should not he considered to be ait 
endorsenieut 



Soup Kitchen opeiated by the Wash- 
ington City Church of the Brethren in 
Washington. D.C. 

The $30,000 granted by the Church 
ot the Brethren fund w ill be used to 
diiectly help feed the area's homeless, 
repair or replace equipment used to 
prepare the food, and pro\ide wages 
li.ir the Kitchen's Ci.iordinator. 

The fund, established in 1987 to 
assist those who are hungry or home- 
less, receives the majority ol its 
funding through the "My 2e worth" 
promotional program used by congre- 
gations and individual members, and 
through private contributions. The 
fund currently contains S22I.000. 

In addition to teeding an average ot 
1 bO people each weekday, the Soup 
Kitchen serves as the mailing address 
for many of the homeless. It also hosts 
lawyers from a local clinic to assist 
people in legal matters, distributes 
clothing, and invites local chaplains in 
to meet with those who want to talk. 

Along with the two to three Brethren 
\olunteer Service workers who are 



assigned to the Soup Kitchen, labor to 
run the facility is provided through a 
"tremendous ecumenical venture," 
says Duane Ramsey. Washington City 
pastor, which includes Catholics. 
Episcopalians. Methodists, and Pres- 
byterians. Twelve to 15 congregations 
spend one day each month volunteer- 
ing at the Soup Kitchen. Ramsey said. 

.An interfaith agency food bank pro- 
vides some of the food served at the 
Soup Kitchen, as does the beef can- 
ning project sponsored by Southern 
Pennsylvania and Mid-.Atlantic Districts. 

.A tremendous effort by the commu- 
nity also helps keep the Soup Kitchen 
functioning. US representatives and 
congressional staffers are among the 
many people who occasionally give 
their time serving as volunteers. And 
two k'cal supermarkets prcnide bread, 
produce, milk, and canned goods. 

The Soup Kitchen, which has been 
open since 1980, received the Church 
of the Brethren General Board grant 
after Ramsey applied for it through 
Shantilal Bhagat. director of Eco- jus- 
tice Concerns and the GFC fund 
administrator. 



New Habitat site coordinator 
appointed to succeed Fry 

Ian Thompson has been appointed site 
coordinator of the Church o\ the 
Brethren Habitat lor Humanity house 
that will be constructed over two 
weeks this month and next in Cincin- 
nati by workcampers and .Annual 
Conterence attendees. 

Thompson succeeds Ivan F'ry , who 
died unexpectedly in .April (see page 5. 
this issue). 

Thompson, a member of Comniun- 
itv Church of the Brethren. Mesa. 
.Ariz., is a former director of Church of 
the Brethren Disaster Response. 

People interested in volunteering for 
the project should send their registra- 
tions to Disaster Services. Brethren 
Service Center, 500 Main Street, PO, 
Bo.\ 188, New Windsor, MD 21776. 



6 Messenger liine 199b 



Seven youth become the first 
Summer Service volunteers 

As Brethren college students in May 
began their summer \'acation. seven of 
their peers embarked on a unique 
summertime experience, becoming the 
Church of the Brethren's first Volun- 
teer Summer Service (VSS) workers. 

The volunteers are B.(. Bucher, 
North Manchester, hid.; Becki Dilley, 
Bonner Springs, Kan.; Brandy Fix, 
Everett, Pa.; Alison Flory, McPherson, 
Kan.; Ginger Gates, Brownsville, Md; 
Andrew Hutchinson, Thomas, Okla.; 
and Matt Messick, Middletown, Pa. 

Orientation for the group was held 
in South Elgin, 111., May 24-3 I , with 
Judy Mills Reimer, VSS coordinator. 
During orientation, discussions cen- 
tered on urban ministry, Brethren 
heritage, peace and justice issues. 
Brethren polity and structure, and 
leadership and working styles. The 
volunteers also spent time working at 
Highland Avenue Church of the Breth- 
ren Soup Kettle in Elgin, 111. 

Immediately following their training, 
the volunteers fanned out throughout 
the eastern US to their various 10- 
week assignments. During that time 
the seven are expected to teach Sun- 
I day school, lead vacation Bible school, 
and possibly preach. 

Bucher is serving at Open Circle 
Community Church. Burnsville, 
Minn.; Becki Dilley is working at 
; Ridgeway Community Church, Har- 
Irisburg, Pa.; Brandy Fix is assigned to 
Antioch Church of the Brethren, 
Rocky Mount, Va.; Alison Flory is 
working at Manchester Church of the 
Brethren, North Manchester, Ind.; 
Ginger Gates is serving at Good Shep- 
herd Church of the Brethren, 
Springfield, Mo.; Andrew Hutchinson 
is assigned to Lancaster (Pa.) Church 
of the Brethren; and Matt Messick is 
serving at McPherson (Kan.) Church 
of the Brethren. 

VSS, in the first of a two-year pilot 
project, is co-sponsored by Brethren 
Volunteer Service and Youth and 
Voung Adult Ministry. 




Meeting with US legislators is one of the long-standing goals of Christ- 
ian Citizenship Seminar participants. During this year's seminar in 
April, a group of Virginians had the opportunity to do just that, with 
US Rep. Thomas Bliley Jr, R-Va. (left). The group included Cheryl 
Brush, Tiffany Nelson, Ale.xis Bear, Joel Brush, and Kevin Taylor. 



Youth contemplate biblical 
values versus materialism 

The 1996 National Youth Christian 
Citizenship Seminar, with "Biblical 
Values and Media Myths" as the 
theme, challenged 80 Brethren youth 
and their advisors in April to become 
better informed and more critical 
consumers ot US media, (see related 
articles, pages 11-15) 

The seminar drew attention to the 
effects of violent programming and 
advertisements directed at youth that 
promote materialism, debased sexu- 
ality, and tobacco use. Seminar 
participants learned that at least half 
of all adult smokers became addicted 
to nicotine before their 18th birth- 
day and that by 1 8 the average 
youth will have seen over 200.000 
violent acts on television. 

These concerns have previously 
been emphasized in Annual Confer- 
ence statements such as the 1994 
Statement on Violence in North 



America, which condemns "increas- 
ing use of violence in the 
entertainment media" and declares: 
"Out of devotion to the Lord |esus 
Christ we cry out against the vio- 
lence of our times." 

Regarding the damaging health 
effects of tobacco use, the 1981 
.Annual Conference called the church 
to "develop education and action 
programs to present its witness 
against the raising of tobacco as an 
agricultural crop, its subsidization by 
the federal government, its public 
sale, and its use as a dangerous and 
habit-forming drug." 

To become more active in media 
education, contact the New Mexico 
Media Literacy Project, (505) 828- 
3264. or the Center for Media 
Literacy, 800-226-9494. To become 
more involved in tobacco concerns, 
contact the Campaign for Tobacco- 
Free Kids, (202) 296-5469, or the 
Coalition on Smoking OR Health, 
(202)452-1184. 



lunc IQIb Mcssciiacr 7 



\m 



'Service' is cited as most 
positive building block 

"What arc llic positi\c lhing^ about 
the Chuicli ot liic HrollirL-n whi would 
like to sec tile (.icneraj Boaixl build on?" 

That question was asked to about 
400 pastors. lait\ . General Ikuird 
members, and Cieiieral Bi.>ard stall in 
lanuar\ b\ the General Board's Rede- 
sign Steering Committee. 

The RSC asked these lour groups, 
which compose its ad hoc committee 
tor redesigning the C'Cncral Board, to 
answer tlic question as the second jiart 
ol an ongoing question and answ er 
series the RSC is having with the coni- 
inittee. The pur|xise tor soliciting 
responses is to !ia\c RSC members 
hear from maii\ denominational voices 
as it prepares to present its jireliminary 
options on redesign to the General 
Board at .Annual Conference. 

.About 1 00 jieople responded and on 
.April 10 the RSC released its findings, 
stating that the top four categories out 
o\ 10 cited were service, peace, one- 
ness within divcrsitv. and discipleship. 
The following is a summarv ot the 10 
categories: 

Service. Laity and pastors indicated 
that service should witness to lesus 
Christ more directlv . stating that the 
link is tenuous at best. The RSC 
reiiorted it believes that while that 
belief might have been true at one 
time, a shift has occurred. That per- 
ception by laity and pastors, however, 
continues to exist despite the shitf. 

Peace. The traditional I^rethren 
peace witness was cited as a strength, 
and the words peacemaking ami rec- 
i.nieiiiation were Irequently used. 
Dealing witli crime, specificallv 
spousal and ciiild abuse and urban 
gangs, was cited as an area wliere the 
Brethren voice can be helpful. 

Oneness uithin diversity. This cat- 
egory, which elicited the strongest 
emotions, ranked second with Board 
members and third with the other 
groups. Included in this category were 
multiculturalism and inclusiveness of 
culture and ideas. Though there still is 




The service that the Church of the Brethren provides to its members and to 
the ivorld is unique, and should be built upon by the denomination in the 
future, according to findini;s the General Board's Redesign Steering Com- 
mittee received from its ad hoc advisory committee. One successful Brethren 
service project is the annual beef canning project for those in need, spon- 
sored b\ Southern Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic Districts . 



the feeling that people who are ditler- 
ent are accepted by the Brethren 
■■family." there was ■■some mourning 
over the sense that some of this feeling 
of acceptance has eroded in lecent 
vears with a . . . grow ing sentiment ot 
intolerance." 

Discipleship. The RSC describes 
this as ■■walking the talk.'^ which rank- 
ed fourth with pastors and laity but 
not as high w ith the other two groups. 
Many alfirmed the discernment ol the 
New Testament to shape how Brethren 
behave in the world. 

Sational gatherings. This category 
receiv ed a bioad base o\ support, with 
people V iewing such gatherings as a 
high point in their spiritual life. 

Denominational expansion . The 
belief is that thei'c is a place, both 
locallv and globally, for "the unique 
interpretation (of the gospel) h\ the 
Church ot the Brethren. ■' 

Local connections. Programs 
meaningful to congregations were 
alfirmed. such as the [ubilee curricu- 
lum. FFS.M and Tl^iM ministerial 
training programs, a congregationallv 
based mission program in Nicaragua. 



and The Andrew Center. 

Heritage and identity. All groups 
ajipreciate the denomination's heritage 
and identitv. "The new tagline res- 
onates strongly among many people as 
a way to quickly sum up wiio and 
what we are as a body." Many hope 
this will sti'cngthen the denomination's 
corporate identity. 

Talented people. Bcuird members 
and staff cited pceiple alreadv in lead- 
ership positions, while the pastors and 
laity cited people who arc not. This 
■■indicates an interesting potential for 
shared leadership development in all 
areas of the church. ■' 

Ecumenical work. All groups 
alfirmed the denomination's participa- 
tion with ecumenical organizations 
and programs. 

The RSC's third set of questions, 
which were sent to the four groups 
along with these findings Irom the sec- 
ond question, deal with where the 
denominational offices should be 
located. 

A copy of the full report is available 
by calling News Services at (800) 
325-8039. — N'emn Duubaum 



8 .Messenger lune \et<^b 



Booklet on what it means to 
be Brethren re-released 

A Guide for Sew Church Members. 
which can be used tor Brethren new- 
comers or as a refresher course tor 
long-time members, is now available. 
Written by Rick Gardner, the book- 
let formerly known as Manual for New 
Church Members explains church 
polity, history, and beliefs. It also 
comes packaged in a more extensive 
packet called Welcome to the Church. 
For information, contact Brethren 
Press at (800) 441-3712. 



' EDF grants $63,000 for aid to 
Bosnia, Virgin Islands, Gaza 

i Emergency Disaster Fund granted 
$65,000 to five projects in April: 

• $20,000 to Bosnia, making that 
$185,000 that has been allocated to 

I the Bosnia since 19Q2. 
j • $20,000 to disaster teams in St. 
i lohn, US Virgin Islands ($64,000 
since November). 

• $20,000 to assist people of the 
Gaza Strip. 

• $2,000 to Heifer Project Interna- 



tional to help Tibetan farmers. 

• S 1 ,000 to the land mine crisis 
affecting the world. 



On Earth Peace, Bethany 
announce staff changes 

Kate lohnson will begin work as pro- 
gram coordinator of On Farth Peace 
Assembly, effective mid-|uly. 

lohnson is a member ot Modesto 
(Calif.) Church of the Brethren, and 
served on the 19Q5 lourney of ^bung 
Adults team. 

Debbie Eisenbise. associate of insti- 
tutional advancement for Bethany 
Theological Seminary, has resigned, 
eftective |uly 19. Eisenbise has served 
in the position since 1992. 

Eisenbise plans to move to Michigan 
with her husband, Lee Krahenbiihl, 
and pursue a pastorate. 





Kate luliiisun 



Dc'bbie Eisi'iibisf 



Brethren Press unveils logo 
that reflects agrarian roots 



denomination's identity lines. 
The first book that will feature the 

new logo will be Fruit of the Vine. 
In preparation for its centennial in Don Durnbaugh's history of the 

1997, Brethren Press has introduced y Brethren, which will debut at 

its new logo. ///^ Annual Conference in Cincin- 

The words "Brethren Press" and iHtat^ nati. 
"This day" are printed in dark / ^^i2^^? Annual Conference also 

green under two gold-col- ^^«S^^ will be the setting for the 

ored wheat stalks, -p^ < ^ -j-^ official introduction of 

which represent OrCtilTCn T fCSS *^ '°S°- 

"Brethren agrarian "By publishing mat- 

roots, as well as the / n/c A(V\l erials that foster the 



sowing and reaping of daily 
bread," according to lennifer Leo, 
director of marketing. 

The logo was designed by Com- 
municorp, the communications 
consulting firm that crafted the 



application of biblical truths to 
every day life. Brethren Press sows, 
cultivates, and eventually reaps — 
toward widespread nourishment of 
both people and institutions," reads 
the logo's statement of purpose. 



1996 District Conferences 

This nioiith i Lalcndar is CLiniposcd ol a 
listing of all 25 Chuixii of the Bix'thrc-n 
district conferences. 

Atlantic Northeast: October 12. Palmyra 

(Fa ) Chuith of the Brethren. 
Atlantic Southeast: October 1 1-12. 

Camp Itliiel, Gotha. Fla. 
Idaho: October 25-2b, Nampa (Idaho) 

Church of the Brethren. 
Illinois/Wisconsin: October 1 1-15. 

Highland Avenue Church of the 

Brethren, Elgin, 111. 
Indiana, Northern: September 20-21. 

Camp Alexander Mack. Miltord. Ind. 
Indiana, South/Central: September 

15-14, Mexico (Ind I Church ol the 

Brethren 
Michigan: August 15-18. Weslevan 

Campground. Hastings. Mich. 
Mid-Atlantic: October I 1-12. St. Mark's 

United Methodist Church, Easton. Md. 
Missouri/Arkansas: September 6-8. 

Windermere Baptist Assembly, Roach, 

Mo 
Northern Plains: luly 2b-28. Wartburg 

(Iowa) College- 
Ohio, Northern: August Q-1 1. Ashland 

(Ohio) University. 
Ohio. Southern: October I 1-12. Castine 

Church of the Brethren. Arcanum. 

Ohio, 
Oregon/Washington: October -t— 6, Lacey 

Church ol the Brethren. Olympia, Wash. 
Pacific Southwest: October 11-15. 

Modesto (Calif) Church of the 

Brethren. 
Pennsylvania, Middle: October I 1-12. 

.Maitland Church of the Brethren. 

Eewistown. Pa, 
Pennsylvania, Southern: September 

20-21. New Fairview Church of the 

Brethren. York. Pa. 
Pennsylvania, Western: October 19. Cen- 
ter Hill Church of the Brethren. 

Kittanning. Pa 
Shenandoah: November 2. Bridgewater 

(Va,) College, 
Southeastern: July 2b-28. Con\erse Col- 
lege. Sparlanburg, S,C, 
Southern Plains: .'\ugust 1-5, Waka 

(Texas) Church of the Brethren. 
Virlina: Noxember 8-9. Bonsack (\'a.) 

Baptist Church, 
Western Plains: August 2-4. McPherson 

(Kan.) College. 
West Marva: September 20-21. Moore- 

Held (W.Va.) Church of the Brethren. 



lune Ul^o Messengers 



.\fWN 



Qualifications for successor 
to Donald Miller announced 

riic GciK'ial Boaid's dciicral Secre- 
tary Scareli Comniillcc, wiiich lias 
been eliarj^ecl with liiKiiiig a sueees- 
>or to Donakl Miller, has iiameil the 
cow cjiuililiealinns ami skills required 
ol nominees lor _L;eneral seeretar\ ol 
the Church ol the Brethren. 

C'.indiciates must ha\e "a Ll\namie. 
\ibiant laith in lesus Christ: lie eiedi- 
ealed to the wxirk oi the Chuieh; ha\e 
proven ailminislratixe expeiience in a 
complex, dynamic organi/alion; be 
well grounded in Brethren heritage, 
theolog\. and pi>lity: and exhibit 
excellent coniniunication skills that 



laeililate tlialog among diverse Brelh- 
len ciinslitueney." 

hilereslcd pcitple should contact 
Don I'itzkee. committee chairman. In 
callino (717) 3b7-20"i2. 



Brethren support of wage hike 
entered into official record 

Dining an .'\pril i*-) speech in sLipport 
of proposed legislation that would 
increase the US minimum wage. 
Sen. l-"dward Kennedx (D-Mass.) 
submitted three letters that support a 
niiiiimum wage inciease into the 
Con''ivssit)ihil Rcconl. 



One of the letters was dratted by 
rim McFlwee, director of the Church 
ol die Brethren Washington Office. 

hi his Idler. McElwee asked that 
the minimum wage be increased to 
S5. 1 5 per hour. I le staled that bQ 
pcicent ol all minimum wage earners 
are adults, and many families that are 
supported b\ mininumi wage earners 
arc trapped well below the poverty 
line. 

I he proposed legislation \o in- 
crease the minimum wage is even 
more crucial, Mcldwee said, because 
Congress also is considering legisla- 
tion that would reduce welfare 
benefits, which would alTecl many 
minimum waye lamilies. 



'in 



The Performing Arts Network of the Association tor the Arts of 
the Church of the Brethren (AACB) has released its first directory, 
listing over 80 Church of the Brethren members interested in the 
arts. AACB, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer, is 
an organization for Brethren artists in music, dance, storytelling, 
preaching, poetry reading, and clow/ning. To purchase a directory, 
write to Lee Krahenbuhl, 404 College Ave.. Richmond. IN 47374. 

Several Brethren have collaborated with Brethren Rodney Custer 
on the new textbook Technology & the Quality of Life, which 
explores the ways technology has influenced vahous aspects of our 
culture. Custer said. 

Custer is an assistant professor of Technology Education at the 
University of Missoun-Columbia. Jean Hendhcks, director of Church 
of the Brethren Ministry Training, wrote a chapter on social and 
interpersonal relationships. Stewart Hoover of the School of Jour- 
nalism and Mass Communications at the University of Colorado, 
wrote on technology and the media. Marvis Custer, Advance Prac- 
tice Nurse at the University of Missoun. wrote on health care. The 
textbook costs $18.96. Call (800) 334-7344. 

Brethren donated $157,450 for Church World Service blankets 
in 1995. Donations to the CWS's blanket program were made by 
over 400 congregations. 

Two overseas trips are being sponsored by Brethren organiza- 
tions in January 1997. On Earth Peace Assembly and Association 
of Brethren Caregivers are co-sponsonng a Southern Afnca study 
tour to Zimbabwe and South Afnca, January 24-February 6. Con- 
ic .Messenger |une I^Qb 



tact ABC by November 15 at (800) 323-8039. Bethany Theological 
Seminary is sponsonng a study tour to Greece and Rome, January 
6-18. Contact Rick Gardner or Murray Wagner by July 25 at (800) 
287-8822. 

Church World Service's 50th anniversary devotional guide, 

titled For the Healing of the Nations, now is available. The booklet 
provides 30 daily devotions centered on the spiritual roots of global 
ministry. The facts, stones, songs, and prayers come from CWS 
programs and partners in 70 nations. The booklet costs S3. Contact 
CWS, PO. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. 

A $4,850 grant to a program for health, agriculture, and nutrition 
in Ecuador was allocated by the Global Food Crisis Fund in Apnl, 
The project is partially administered by International Voluntary Ser- 
vice, Inc., which requested the grant through the Church of the 
Brethren Latin America and the Cahbbean Office. 

More than one in four US children under 12 are hungry or 

at risk of hunger. Bread for the World's "Elect to End Childhood 
Hunger" campaign seeks to make hunger among children in the US 
a significant issue in this fall's congressional elections. This year's 
campaign will ask church members and others to write to congres- 
sional candidates asking them to sign a commitment form 
promising, once elected, to vote for legislation and support federal 
programs that will help overcome childhood hunger. ; 

Bread for the World has prepared a resource kit and a video for 
those who want to participate. Contact Will Stott at (301) 608-2400 
to order matehals or for information on the campaign. 



For decades broadcasters have 

gotten away with murder and mayhem, 

turning television into an instrument 

of child exploitation and abuse 

dominated by salesmen, 

animated assault artists, 

and leering talk-show hosts. 

Should 

TV 

get away 
infith'^murcler? 





by Howard E. Royer "^S|^ 

edia watchers who have long contended that the level 

I of violence shown on television is excessive and dan- 
gerous now have hard data to document their claim. 
The most comprehensive scientific assessment of TV violence 
ever undertaken, produced by four US universities and released 
in February, concludes that "psychologically harmful" violence 
pen'iides television entertainment. Moreover, the findings warn 
that young viewers are put "at risk" by programs that leave vio- 
lence unpunished or show no consequences for violent acts. 
But violence is not the only aspect of television putting 
viewers at risk, the 80 teens and youth advisors at this year's 
Church of the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar (CCS) 
learned. A concept common to the lb, 000 paid commercials 



aired on American television each day is that money or things 
can assure self-esteem, provide securitx. give meaning to life. 
Got a problem? Spend. Pamper yourself. Through the magic 
of materialism, soar to new heights. 

Especially targeted with such messages are the teens who 
were in attendance at the IQQfa Christian Citizenship Seminar 
(see page 7), along with their peers and younger siblings. 
Marketers are keenly aware, as one research group holds, that 
children ages 4-12 represent "the greatest sales potential of 
any age or demographic group, controlling .SI 7 billion them- 
selves and directly inlluencing over $lb7 billion of additional 
spending by adults." The race is to get children to develop 
brand loyalty early. 

In their opening \olle\ in New York Cit\ . the seminar 
youth were informed of the Center for Media Minislrv 's claim 

linu' M'-Ui Mcssfiigcr 11 




"Despite denials from the industry, many tobacco ads 
and images aim to influence kids four, five, and six years 
of age. That's why Joe Camel is a cartoon character." 

Marilyii )ai:,cr. Jciniiy cissisimil to I'lvsiilcni Cliiium. spciikiii;^ 

i(> ( linsiidii t'iiizcnship .Sciiiliiiir pdiiicliuiiih ill llic While lloii^c cniiij-ilcx. 



thill ihc imist cuxclctl ail space is 
iU)l a billboard in Times Square ov 
a ^(,)-seci.>nil eominercial during the 
Super Boul. bul \(;/( -especialK if 
\ou are uiung. "In the eoiisumer-dri- 
\en eullure. your dreams, wants, and desires 
V^ help advertisers eieale the eummeieials that gel 

\ou oil the etiueli and lunning to the mall to spend, spend, 
spend." states the Center lor \leelia Lileraex. "Huying things 
becomes not just something \ou i/o. but who \ou arc." 

Within the seminar, the case against rampant con- 
sLunerism came in twii presentations by Bob 
McCannon. who heads the Media Literacy Project 
in New Mexico — the only state mandating media education in 
the public schools. ,'\n "entertaining and impassioned man.'" as 
C'CSer I leather Harper, lb. laeksonville. fda.. desciibed him. 
McCannon graphically divulged how viewers 
are seduced to bu\ protlucts the\ do not need: 
to accept as a norm images ol the female body 
so sleiuler. so underweight as to be devaslal- 
ingly unhealthy; e\en to l(.)cus their allention 
span around seven minutes — television's lime 
between commercial breaks. "Media construct 
our culture, our realit\. " McCannon observes. 

Screening clip after clip of current com- 
mercials, he engaged youth in discerning how 
greed, lust, deceit, gender, power, and racism 
are used to sell products. He showed how in 
print ads and TV spots women are sexually 
objectilied. He identilietl the woist kind of vio- 
lence as cartoon violence. 

McCannon maintains that media literacy 
is nut anti-media: what it seeks is lor children to clioi)se what 
they watch with care. I hat requires students Irom kinder- 
garten through high school learning the mechanics and intent 
of television programming and mastering critical viewing 
skills, ""^bu gain greater freedom when you analyze, access, 
evaluate, and even produce media yourself," he counseled the 
youth. 

Much the same appeal is made to churches in a policy 
statement issued last fall by the National Council of Churches 
General Board. Congregations are urged to become "media 




For the 80 Brethren 

who went to New York 

and Washington 

to rethink media, 

the first challenge 

is to assert control 

over one's own 

interaction with 

media. 



literacy centers" that enable members to iieiceive the place 
visual storytelling and metaiihor and symbol have in .shaping 
culture, that demonstrate creative use of technology for inter- 
active communication, and that enable families and 
individuals to take cli;irge ol the media ihey consume. 

"^'et if the media environment is to undergo a quality 
change, somelhing moic is needed than media literacy, vital as 
it is. I'amilies and educators and church leaders need to help 
reshape the media climate, not merely learn how to respcmd to 
it. ,'\n area in dire need ol impixnement is ehildien's TV late. 
In the book Abaiiiloncd in the Wasiclaiul: Children. Televi- 
sion, and ihe First Aineiulinenl. Newtcm N. Minow and Craig L. 
LaMay contend that lor decades now broadcasters have gotten 
away with murder and mayhem, turning television into "an 
instrument of child eN|iloitalion and abuse" dominated by 
"salesmen, animated assault artists, and leering talk-show 
hosts." Miiunv's term "wasteland" refers to the vast educational 
opportunities that go unrealized by children's 
programming that caters mainlv to peddling 
junk food and toys. 

During a visit to the White I louse complex, 
an unusual invitation for CCS, two top officials 
oi the Office of Public ljaist)n discussed "Kids 
and \ iolcnee" and "Kids and Tobacco." In a 
vigorous give-and-take with Marilyn '^'ager and 
Barbara Woolley. the seminar youth discussed 
the impact of media on the 3,000 young people 
a (.lav who begin smoking, one-quarter ol them 
under 12 years of age. "Despite denials from 
the industry, many tobacco ads and images aim 
to inlluence kids lour, live, and six years of 
age," Yager commented. "That's why joe 
Camel is a cartoon character." 
On vicilcnce, \'ager, wIki is deputy assistant to President 
Clinton, said that nationally the crime rate among adults is 
going way down but among youth is going way up. As one 
response, the W hite I louse has initiated ilialog with broad- 
casters about reducing the level of violence in programming 
and increasing educational programming for children. 

A key strategy of the Clinton administration for reduc- 
ing violence on television and restricting tobacco promotion 
and access to children is to encourage industry leaders to 
enact voluntary restraints. One recent agreement is the 



12 .Messenger lune IQQti 




"I'm far more aware now of the importance of actively 

analyzing television, not merely zoning in front of the tube 

and allowing all sorts of garbage to seep into my mind." 

Meg Fiichs. lb. of Lancaster. Pa., simiming up 
her experience at tlie Cliristian Citizenship Seminar 



pledge of professional baseball players to cease chewing 
tobacco during the game. 

But at all levels the resistance to change is formidable. As 
groups from CCS voiced their concerns about media with 
their respective senators and representatives, they sensed that 
what was driving telecommunications reform were the inter- 
ests not of the public but of media owners, whose number is 
dwindling. 

For the 80 Brethren who went to New Yovk and Washing- 
ton to rethink media, and for others who have been schooled in 
media literacy elsewhere, the first challenge is to assert control 
over one's own interaction with media. "I'm far more aware 
now of the importance of actively analyzing television and con- 
sumerism, not merelv zoning in front of the tube and allowing 



all sorts of garbage to seep into my mind," Meg Fuchs, 16, of 
Lancaster, Pa,, summed up as the seminar ended. 

To be media literate means to curb the amount of time 
spent watching television, certainly the time given to mindless 
programming. It encourages watching TV less often alone 
and more often with family or peers and discussing what has 
been presented. It means leaving the throng of the unanalyti- 
cal and the manipulable, to whom most television is pitched. 

And rightly so for a people called by their church to live 
peacefully, simply, together in the context of a media cul- 
ture whose dominant appeal is to live violently, ^A/T] 
materialisticallv, selfishly, I \ 



Howard E Roycr /s diivcUir of liilcrprclalioii on the General Board's 
Coinniuniealion Team 




Seven tips for TV viewing in the home 



1. Decide how much TV 
your family will watch. 

Set limits on the number of hours you 
and your family will watch each week, 
and stick to it. 

2. Plan your TV viewing. 

Encourage a family attitude that televi- 
sion should be turned on only to watch 
a specific show, not just to "see what's 
on." Choose your shows ahead of time, 
using a weekly television program guide, 

3. Develop family guidelines 
for selecting programs. 

Be sure to discuss values you believe 
are important and the reasons for your 
choices. Check channel listings, includ- 
ing cable, and note reviews of programs 
with themes and subjects that match 
your family's guidelines. Look for 
shows that offer different viewpoints 
and help in your child's education. 



4. Make TV watching an 
interactive family event. 

Television doesn't have to end family 
discussion and interaction. Watch it 
together, and use every opportunity to 
talk about what you are seeing and 
hearing. Use storylines and characters 
to stimulate conversation on topics that 
can be difficult to discuss: family rela- 
tionships, feelings, appropriate sexual 
behavior, divorce, or death. Try "think- 
ing out loud" as a nonthreatening way 
to let your children hear your values 
and prompt their response. 

5. Talk back to your TV. 

When appro|iriatc, express your opin- 
ions by "talking" directly to the TV as 
you watch. Respond to sexism, racism, 
and unnecessary violence, but point out 
positive portrayals as well. Don't forget 
to challenge commercials and the wav 



they try to sell us not only products, but 
attitudes and lifestyles. 

6. Let TV expand and 
enlarge your world. 

Find related books and magazine arti- 
cles at your public library, and go on 
family outings based on ideas you've 
seen on TV. Keep an atlas or globe next 
to your television and find places men- 
tioned on the news. 

7. Be positive about TV's 
contribution to our world. 

Television is the dominant force in our 
media culture and an important part of 
children's lives. It should be evaluated 
fairl\. not denigrated. 

©1994 Cenier for Media t.ileraew /V(^i S. 
Stienaudoati Si.. Los .kngeles. CA 9UUy4: Call 
(800) 236-9494 for a free media literacy 
eaialog. 

lunc IQflb Messenger 13 



The V-Chip: 

Problemior solution? 




by Stewart Hoover 

Ycai> Lit L\)ntlicl bcu>.ccn parent^, 
teachers, and broadcaslors might 
lia\c conic to an end rcccnth 
when Congress passed, and tlie Presi- 
dent signed, the first comprehensive 
revision of American communications 
law since l^"'i4. This bill's most 
tar-reaching impact will be felt in 
telecommunications regulation, where it 
will tree up telephone, cable, and com- 
puter companies to compete directly, 
and — it is hoped — develop an intorma- 
tii.>n svsiem tor the 21st ceniurv. 

But this bill alsci will be known lor a 
provision that relates direetlv to a prob- 
lem ot the 20th century — the pioblem 
oi television violence. No single issue 
throughout the history ot broadcasting, 
has led to so much debate, research, 
and political struggle as this issue, and 
the Telecommunications .Act proposes a 
solution to it the so-called "\-C'hip." 

The \'-Chip is a computer circuit 
board that will be fitted in all new televi- 
sion sets sold in the L'nited States. The 
chip has a verv simple tunction. It can be 
set bv viewers to automatically block any 
programs that carry a computer code ot 
their own — one which identifies them as 
programs with "violent" (or possibh 
other "objectionable" content). The \'- 
Chip has been touted as the magic 
solution to the problem of violence. 

.And it does address one of the most 
vexing issues in the violence debate. For 
years, broadcasters have pointed out 
that the switch to control television vio- 

14 Messenacr June IQQb 



lence already e.\ists — on the television 
set. If parents want their children not to 
watch certain programs, thev can 
exercise that control. I'his is a logical 
argument, but it ignores a lundamental 
realitv ol modern life: The vast major- 
ity c)f child television-viewing takes 
place w iihout parental oversight or 
control, and tlii^ nu'si often cannot be 
blamed on parental inattentioti. More 
and more families are single-parent 
families, and in nui'^t ot them the par- 
ent must work outside the home and 
thus is unable to be present when chil- 
dren are watching television. 

,\ device such as the \'-Chip that can 
offer peace of mind to such parents — a 
wav of controlling what is viewed when 
they are not present^ — is a welcome 




The V-Chip has been touted 

as the magic solution to 

the problem of violence. 

But it is an open question 

whether the V-Chip 

actually is a solution. 

development. Ibdavs parents face manv 
challenges not faced by parents in eai- 
lier times. .Among the most pressing of 
these is the challenge of accounting for 
a public culture that increasingly targets 
children with symbols, ideas, and mes- 
sages. The \'-Chip is an attempt at 
answering this challenge. 

But it is an open question whether 
the \ -Chip actually is a scilution. First. 



the broadcasting industry thus far has 
accepted the chip onh with great reluc- 
tance. It is imsure as to vvhat this device 
w ill do to its business in a time when it 
is facing increasing competition from 
other media channels and from other 
attractions to the child audience — 
attractions that include computers, 
computer games, home video, and pop- 
ular music. There still is a chance that 
one or more ot the television netwcirks 
w ill challenge the law in court. 

The chip also faces legal challenges 
from those concerned about its First 
.Amendment implications. .And these are 
serious implications, just because the 
chip might be used to filter out violence 
todav doesn't mean it could not also be 
used to filter out political or religious 
messages tomorrow. The law — and the 
chip — thus mav never come into use. 
[:ven without legal challenge, it will be 
vears (at the present rate of replace- 
ment) before even the majority of 
television sets is equipped with the 
device. .And as the sets are replaced, the 
chips will appear first in those homes 
(the homes of the better educated and 
more affiuent) where they presumably 
are needed least. Single-parent homes 
and poorer homes will still be using 
unequipped sets for years to come. 

liut there is a more fundamental 
issue to watch as things develop. The 
legislation only provides for the chips to 
be installed. It is left up to others to 
define cxactlv what constitutes a violent 
program, and thus which programs will 
be coded — and filtered — bv the chip. 




I Stewart Hoover leads a workshop 
about media during the recent 
Christian Citizenship Seminar 

1 attended by 80 Brethren youth. 

Leaders of the entertainment industry 
were called to the White House in Feb- 
ruary and encouraged to develop 
cooperative, industry-wide standards 
for violent programs. This is really the 
only constitutional way standards can 
I be set. The government cannot set the 
standards without violating the First 
I Amendment, according to most consti- 
j tutional scholars. 

j Such industry-based standards are 
I nothing new. Twenty years ago, when 
I the three broadcast networks domi- 
j nated the television diets of most 
Americans, each of them had an office 
of "standards and practices" that 
essentially censored violent and se.xual 
content. There was very little variation 
among these standards. So there essen- 
tially was an industry-wide standard 
then, and most evidence demonstrates 
high levels of violence even at that 
time. It remains to be seen how the 
V-Chip will result in anything more 



restrictive than what television audi- 
ences experienced in the lQ70s. 

Certainly, times are different now. 
The level of political pressure 
that brought about the V-Chip as 
a solution was unprecedented. But 
standards have changed, too. Certain 
network prime-time programs regularly 
include scenes that would not have been 
allowed even five years ago. In such a 
climate, what will the standards be? 
And, the process of rating programs for 
their violent content also will be a chal- 
lenge. The movie rating system — which 
has been pointed to as a model — has to 
deal with onlv a fraction of the number 




Parents, teachers, and 

churches must recognize 

the need for more assertive 

and serious responses to 

the new media, and 
develop those responses. 

of productions that come out of the 
television industry in a year's time. 

In some ways, then, we are back to 
square one. The V-Chip will give parents 
who can afford a new television set, and 
who care about their children's television 
diets, a tool they have not had before. 
This is a good thing. It will not. however, 
ultimately solve the problem. For too 
long we have trivialized the role of the 
new media in the lives of the children of 
the 20th century. In a way. ihc V-Chip is 



a trivial response. Parents, teachers, and 
churches must recognize the need for 
more assertive and serious responses to 
the new media . . . and dewlop those 
responses. Television programs are not 
"just entertainment." They need to be 
treated with the care, concern, and seri- 
ousness we devote to great art and great 
literature. They are the art. literature, and 
culture of the present age. 

The V-Chip represents an "auto- 
matic" solution to a problem that is 
more subtle, nuanced, and resilient than 
most of us think. Like much of current 
public policy, it relies on a "market- 
place" approach to solve a collective 
problem. Autonomous individual par- 
ents are to make decisions about the 
V-Chip for their homes. What really is 
needed is something that we Americans 
lack: a public discourse about the role of 
media — and the role of cultural prod- 
ucts more generally — in our lives. There 
is a tendency to leave the job to the 
national political arena. (And, granted, it 
is a national problem of national indus- 
tries, so there is a role there,) But so 
long as we do not have a language with 
which we can articulate what we want 
and expect our media to do for us 
(instead of what we see there that we 
don't want) we will continue to get par- 
tial solutions such as the V-Chip. Jd 
and the problem will not go away. 1 ! 



SiL'ivarl Hoover is associaic professor of 
joiinnilisni ami mass coinniuuicaiions at the 
University of Colorado. He seired on the General 
Ikhird's Coniiininieation Team 1975-1980 as 
staff for Media Ediieation and r\il\<>eaey. 

lunc Mflti Mcssoiiger 15 



by Robin 
Wentworth Mayer 



Stepping Stones is a cottiinn offering 
suggestions, perspectives, and opiit- 
ions — snapshots of life — that irc 
hope are helpful to readers in their 
Christian journey. .As the writer said 
in her first iitstalhnent. "Remember 
when it comes to managing Ufe's 
diffieidties. we don't need to walk 
on water. We just need to learn 
where the stepping stones are. " 



Stepping 

STONES 



l"i\c iiionilis al'lci- I si;irlcd 
calling Kokoiiio "home" 1 
learned that my late grand- 
father was ordained into 
ministry at the First Baptist 
Church of Kokomo on Feb- 
ruary 2. 1010. Now, doesn"! 
that seem . . .prophcticl 

Learning that my grandfa- 
ther was ministering in the 
eity of Kokomo 76 years 
before me has left me with a 
powerful sense of legacy. 

What couples did you 
marry. Grandfather Wliite- 
sell? Wliere are their 
descendants? Whom did you 
baptize? Did they remain 
firm in their vows? Did they 
raise their children in the 
faith? Were the hungry fed, 
the lost found, the naked 
clotlied? And perhaps most 
urgent for me. did you leave 
any unfinished business 
behind? And if so. how do 1 
pick up where you left off? 

What 1 have been grap- 
pling with on a personal 
level is the same thing we as 
a denomination grapple v\ith 
on a corporate level. 

In what ways does our 
spiritual legacy define our 
destiny? 

I'm not an ethnic Brethren. 
My roots don't go back to 
Germantown. I didn't grow 
up with prayer coverings and 
plain clothes. I wear earrings. 
.\nd when I first came into 
the denomination. I asked 
questions such as "Wlio's 
Dan West?" 

But I've been Brethren 
long enough to know that 
Brethren really, really like to 
talk about their heritage. 



Throughout the Old 'lesta- 
ment. God seems to put a 
great deal of importance on 
the place where we minister. 
Nehemiah took a delegation 
to lerusalem to rebuild the 
temple ... the twelve tribes 
were divided along geograph- 
ical lines . . . and the Exodus 
is the story of God's people 
reclaiming the land. In each 
case, the place and its history 
were essential to the out- 
workings of God's plan. 

Now, I don't think God 
wanted his people in Canaan 
just to build equity. Their 
inheritance was not just 
something to preserve and 
sit around and enjoy and pat 
each other on the back 
about. In fact, God got 
pretty frustrated with the 
Israelites every time they ran 
into conflict and started 
talking about the good old 
days: The good old days in 
Egypt when the water was 
sweet and plentiful , , , the 
good old days when they sat 
by pots of meat and ate their 
fill of bread , , . the good old 
days when there were leeks 
and onions and garlic, . . . 

How tempted we are as 
Brethren, in times of confu- 
sion and conflict, to do 
likewise. "Let's go back to 
the good old days. Let's go 
back to Schwarzenau. Let's 
go back to Germantown. 
Let's go back to the glory 
days of Dan West and MR. 
Zigler." 

Oh, my beloved Brethren, 
there is no going back. One 
might argue that the children 
of Israel were a unique peo- 



ple in Egypt. They had their 
community, their identity, 
and their traditions, but God 
did not want them to go 
back. God wanted them to 
move forward, l^heir legacy 
was valuable only to the 
degree that it propelled them 
towards their destiny. And 
when they tried to abandon 
that. God did not take it 
lightly. God, in fact, said 
they had spurned him. Con- 
sequently, they wandered in 
the wilderness for 40 years. 

There's a powerful mes- 
sage there for us, lust being 
afraid of moving forward 
doesn't mean we have the 
option of going back. If we 
try it, we'll wander, 

Joshua finally took the 
second generation into the 
land, saying, "How long will 
you be slack about going in 
and taking possession of the 
land that the Lord, the God 
of your ancestors, has gi\en 
you?" (losh, 18:3) 

The land was their legacy. 
But it was a legacy that 
demanded action . . . aggres- 
sive action. 

We are not where we are 
by accident. Whether it be 
on a personal le\el or corpo- 
rate level, our legacy is part 
of a spiritual blueprint that 
forever beckons us to move 
forward into our destiny. 

.And how long will we wait 
before we pursue the inheri- 
tance that the Lord, the God 
of our ancestors, has 
given us? 



^ 



Robin Wentworth Mayer is pas- 
tor of Kokomo llnd.) Church of the 
Rretliren. 



16 Messenger lune fJQb 



Keeping the spirit 

of Beijing alive 

As a group, we exchange information and ideas for media campaigns, 
magazine articles, publications, and grassroots initiatives that work for 
the improvement of women's lives. \\e won't let the spirit of Beijing die. 



by Amanda Vender 



I 



n a building sandwiched between 
the Supreme Court and the Dirk- 
-son Senate Office Building, a 
group of women of diverse Faith back- 
grounds gathers once a month. The first 
item of business of the Interfaith Beijing 
Working Group (IBWG) is reporting 
the work of our respective offices and 
denominations on follow-up efforts to 
the Fourth World Conference on 



Women in Beijing last September. 
Although most of our members did not 
attend the conference, we build on the 
stories and information of those who 
did. Reading the Conference's Platform 
for Action in itself (see sidebar, page 
18) has been extremely energizing. As a 
group, we exchange information and 
ideas for media campaigns, magazine 
articles, new publications, and grass- 
roots initiatives that work for the 
improvement of women's lives. We 



won't let the spirit of Beijing die. 

We then move to our work at the 
national level, work that we can do 
because of our location in the capital. 
One of our central aims is to monitor 
the work of the President's Interagency 
Council on Women. President Clinton 
announced the formation of the council 
prior to the Conference on Women. The 
council is an intragovernmental body 
charged with coordinating the imple- 
mentation of the Platform lor Action. It 



Beijing follow-up 

^ Attend or hold a Beijing event in your community. 
Many organizations are planning follow-up activities. Con- 
tact your state Commission on the Status of Women, or 
your regional administrator for the Women's Bureau, US 
Department of Labor for information on events. For 
resource materials to conduct a workshop or event, you may 
order "Women Connecting Beyond Beijing" facilitator's 
packets and workbooks from the Center of Concern, 3700 
15th St, NE, Washington, DC 20017, (202) 655-2757, 
Guides are available in Spanish and English, A copy of the 
Platform for Action may be obtained from the Internet at 
http://www,undp,org/fwcw/dawfwcw,htm. Or call the UN 
Public Information Office at (2f2) 965-4475, 

Zl Support national efforts to implement the Platform for 
Action. Contact your congressional representatives at (800) 
962-5524 and ask them to support implementation of the US 
commitments to the Platform for Action. Also, remind them 
that the United States must fulfill its financial responsibilities 
to support the United Nations, 

Zt Advocate for the ratification of the Convention on the 
Elimination of All f-orms of Discrimination Against Women 
(CEDAW), which 15 years after its drafting still has not been 
ratified by the US Senate, The US is one of the few countries 



that have not ratified the treaty. Contact the Church of the 
Brethren Washington Office for a copy of the treaty by calling 
(202) 546-5202, 

Zt Urge legislators not to cut spending for programs that 
help poor women and children, and suggest that savings be 
made by cutting defense spending. According to the Clinton 
Administration's seven-year budget plan, spending on 
weapons would increase by 50 percent by 2001 . 

^ Promote nonviolent confiict resolution and the reduc- 
tion of human rights abuses, US military personnel continue 
to train Latin American soldiers for combat at the Army 
School of the Americas in Fort Benning. Ga,, despite the fact 
that many of the soldiers trained at the school later have been 
accused of gross human rights abuses in their own countries. 
Ask your congressional representatives to close the School of 
the Americas, 

Zt Pressure the Department of Defense to be consistent 
with the Platform tor Action. Write to Secretary of Defense 
William Perry, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20501, and 
urge that the department promote nonviolent forms of eonllicl 
resolution and reduce the incidence ol human rights abuse 
while reducing spending on weapons, 

Zt Organize a group that meets regularly to educate mem- 
bers on the status of women around the world and to take 
action at a local, national, or international le\el, 

luiu- lOOe. Messenger 17 



i^ L\)nipo>cd ot a lew iiicnihcis Irom 
scNcral goNcrnincnl agencies. A liiiermj: 
aiKl public discussicin for NGOs (non- 
gu\cniiiiciHal organizations) is held 
cmee a monili. Il is iinpoitant lor us lo 
attend these briefings in order to enter 
into dialog with the government aiul to 
ensure that our concerns are addressed. 
Past briellng presenters ha\e included 
reiM-esentatives from the Dejiartment of 
State, the United Slates .-Md lor Interna- 
tional Dewlopment. and the 
Department of Defense (DoD). 

in March, two other members oi 
IBWG and 1 attended a meeting at the 
I'entagon \\ ith an assistant secretary of 
Defense, the Interagency Council Rep- 
resentati\e for the DoD. and the 
executive director of the Defense Advi- 



st)r\ C'onnnitlee ou Women in the Ser- 
\ices. We discussed initialises of the 
l)c)f) lo advance the aims ol the L\>n- 
ference ol Women, and concerns that 
we lelt were ncil adequately addressed 
al the DoD Interagency Council biiel- 
ing. I was impressed that such 
high-level personnel took the lime lo 
meet with us. i'hev admitteii that reach- 
ing out lo educate the public on what 
the DoD is doing to improve the lives 
of women is necessary to reverse a neg- 
ative image of the DoD. Of course, to 
pr(.)udly note that the DolO is the largest 
employer of women in the country is 
not particularly positive Irom a 
Brethren perspective. Nonetheless, we 
were pleased to learn of some programs 
designed to enhance the employment 



and advancement of women in techni- 
cal and engineering fields and to 
promote the health and education of 
women in the military including assis- 
tance lor victims ol violent crimes. 

Our group's primary concein 
lor the meeting, however, was 
to learn about what the DoD 
is doing to comply with the sections of 
the Platform for Action that call for 
controlling arms proliferation and use 
and expanding peacekeeping missions. 
The vast majority of the initiatives by 
the DoD to improve the lives of women 
is locused ou we)men employed by the 
military or women in military families 
rather than on women around the world 
hurt bv military actions. One of our 



The Platform for Action 

The i'lallorm lor .^cti^)n. referred \o here as "the 
Platlonn" is the consensus reached by official 
governmem delegates representing over 180 nations, 
including the United States. The following is a summary ol 
the 180-page document and of the strategic objeclives and 
actions. 

Women and poverty. Waiucii ivpivsciil 70 percent af (lie 
I . ) billion people liviuii in po]vri\\ 

Review, adopt, and maintain macroeconomic policies and 
development strategies that address the needs of women in 
poverty; revise laws and administrative practices to ensure 
women equal rights and access to economic resources: 
develop gender-based nietlK)dologies and conduct research to 
address the feminization of poverty. 

Education and training of women. AIniosi ii cjiunier of 
the world's adult popitUitiou — 905 million woiiieii and men — 
is estimated to be illiterate. Sixty-fi]'e percent of those \]'ho are 
illiterate are women. 

Ensure equal access to education: eradicate illiteracy 
among women: improve women's access to vocational train- 
ing, science and technology, and continuing education. 

Women and iiealth. Heterosexual transmission is the 



leading can.'=:e of Hl\ for women. Worldwide. '^.UOU women are 
infected daily with the virus that causes AIDS. 

Increase women's access throughout the lile cycle to 
affordable, appropriate, and quality health care: promote 
research and disseminate information on women's health. 

Violence against women. // ;.s estinicucil that one-f>urth 
of women worldwide are physically battered. 

Take integrated measures to prevent and eliminate vio- 
lence against wcmien: study the causes and consequences of 
vii_)lence against women and the effectiveness ol preventive 
measures: and eliminate trafficking in women and assist vic- 
tims ol violence due to prostitution and trafficking. 

Women and armed conflict. Civilian victinis of armed 
conflict often ouinundicr casualties among combatants and 
most are ]i'omen and children. 

Increase participation of women in conflict resolution at 
decision-making levels: protect women living in situations of 
armed conflicts: reduce excessive military expenditures and 
work towards general and complete disarmament under strict 
and effective international contrt)l. 

Women and the economy. Women work an average of / > 
percent more hoivs than nten in ewry coimtry. 

Promote women's economic rights and independence: 
facilitate women's equal access to resources, employment, 
markets, and trade: eliminate occupational segregation and all 



18 Messensjcr luiic 1 ^'Ki 



hosts emphasized that in aheiing the 
male-dominated culture of the military 
by increasing the rate of participation of 
women. DoD programs and actions 
eventually will have a more favorable 
effect on women. 

According to the United Nations 
Development Fund for Women, 
women and children are more likely 
than ever to be killed or wounded in 
wartime. While only five percent of 
casualties in World War I were civil- 
ians, in conllicts currently underway 
the figure is almost 80 percent. This 
concern, which needs to be addressed 
immediately by our military, cannot be 
altered by means of a trickle-down 
change in the culture of the Depart- 
ment of Defense. DoD jirograms need 



to do more to promote nonviolent 
forms of conflict resolution and to 
limit the production and use of 
weapons. In 1995. less than half of 
one percent of the Pentagon budget 
was spent on peacekeeping operations 
while the US public believes that the 
figure was 20 percent. 

Many of the issues important to the 
Church of the Brethren and for which 
the Washington Office ad\'ocatcs can 
find support from the Platform for 
Action. 1 believe that our presence and 
work there is well recognized and 
respected and that women and families 
around the world need us to carry 
through with the work initiated by the 
Fourth World Conference on Women. 

The vears 1988-1998 are the Ecu- 



menical Decade of Churches in Solidar- 
ity with Women. The 1988 Church of 
the Brethren Annual Conference 
adopted a statement that firmly supports 
the Ecumenical Decade and urges con- 
gregations to act by "celebrating the 
gifts of women . . . searching for ways for 
all members to become aware of women 
and women's concerns in different areas 
of the world" and to encourage district 
and national agencies to continue to 
examine and include "women's full par- 
ticipation in church and community, 
and women's perspectives and commit- 
ments to justice, peace, and the li 
integrity of creation." I . 

AinuiiiUi \ender j.v li Brethren Volunteer Ser- 
riee wurker at the CInireh of the Brethren 
Wdf'hinf^ton Office 



forms of employment discrimination; promote harmonization 
of work and family responsibilities for women and men. 

Women and power and decision-making. Woiiwii held 
nearly 30 percent of deeisioii-imikiiig positions in only eight 
countries in 1 99-/. 

At levels of 50 percent, women start to have a visible 
impact on the style and content of political decisions. Ensure 
women's equal access to and full participation in power strue- 
I tures; increase women's capacity to participate in 
I decision-making and leadership. 

I Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of 

I women. Tax laws discriminate against ivoincn in some cotiti- 
I tries. Ill Switzerland, married women max tiot fill out their 
I own income ta.\ forms: their husbands must do it for them. 
j Integrate gender perspectives in legislation, public poli- 

' cies. and programs. 

Human rights of women. The constitiiiions of many 
coimlries allow discrimination against women in vital areas 
such as property rights, employment, and access to education 
and health services. 

Promote and protect the human rights of women through 
the full implementation of all human rights instruments, espe- 
cially the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 
Discrimination Against Women: ensure equality and nondis- 
crimination under the law and in |iraclice. 



Women and the media. /;/ Western industrialized societies 
the desiiv to confirm to cultural standards of physical beauty 
causes many young girls and women to compromise their health. 

Increase the participation and access ot women to expres- 
sion and decision-making in and through the media; promote 
a balanced portrayal of women in the media that a\'oids 
stereotypes. 

Women and the environment. //; both urban and rural 
areas, environtnental degradation results in negaliw effects on 
the health. weU-beiitg. and quality of life of the population at 
large, especially girls and women of all ages. 

Involve women actively in environmental decision- 
making; integrate gender concerns and perspectives in poli- 
cies and programs for sustainable development; establish 
mechanisms to assess the impact of development and enviinn- 
mental policies on women. 

The girl child. Temalc genital mutilation — the ritual 
cutting and remowil of all or part of the clitoris and other 
external genitalia — affects an estimated 2 million girls aitd 
]vonien each year 

Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices 
against girls; eliminate diseiiminatioii against girls in 
education, skills development and training, health and 
nutrition; eliminate the economic exploitation of child labor 
and protect young girls at work. 

luTic l'5'5b Messenger 19 



Frank Sinatra 



by Paul Mundey 

Answer true or false to 
the follow ill"; statements: 

1. Once 1 lia\c lunmilaicd dii opinion. I 
am likcl\ noi lo change il. 

2. 1 lend lo use \\i.>rds sucli as slKnild. 
uuglu. niusl. and can't when I am talk- 
ing to other i^eople. 

3. I wouki lather let people ha\e a lalse 
benefieiai impiession ol me. lalhei than 
be open and \ulneiable. 

4. Critical thoughts come lo mind more 
often than I would like. 

5. 1 have a mental list of iileals that peo- 
ple should meet belore I accept them. 

b. I am uncomfortable with ideas that 
are different from mine. 

7. I get impatient when other people 
can't understand what needs to be done. 

t^. I use silence to chastise those who 
disappoint me or differ w ith me. 

9. 1 tend to do important jobs myself 
because someone else might not do 
them right. 

10. I hate to admit m\' weaknesses, e\en 
if the\ seem obvious lo others. 



II wiu answered true to fewei- than one 
or two of these statements you probably 
are a \ery agreeable, composed person. 
It you responded true to three or four 
of them. \ou probably are normal. But 
if you answered true to five or more of 
them, you may be inclined toward an 
obsessive need to control. 

Yes. control, the legitimate task of 
oversight, which often nose-dives into 
the imperative need always to be on top. 
always to be dominant, always to be in 
charge, and always to be right. Such a 
life stance is well epitomized in one of 
the most famous popular songs of the 
century, Frank Sinatra's "My Way," As 
crooned by Sinatra, this song celebrates 
defiantly the "on top, in charge, impera- 
tive way of life." M every crossroads, at 
every bend in the highway, Sinatra cal- 

20 Messenger lune N06 



doesn't live her 



louslv wails, "I did II m\ wav." 

Isellecting on this wmidvicw. band- 
leader Tommy Dorsey once aptly 
remarked. "Frank is the most fascinat- 
ing man in the wurld. but tlon't stick 
veuir hand in his cage." 

It is not surprising, then, to discover 
that controlling or imperative personali- 
ties do not contribute greatly to 
harmonious, unified relationships. In 
fact, they destroy ivlationships. This is 
especially true for the collective rela- 
tionships we know as the body of 
Christ. Controlling, imperative individ- 
uals wreak havc)c in congregations, 
often holding the advancement of 
God's work hostage to personal, picky, 
Pharisaic whims. You might not see the 
label "controller" on their forehead, but 
the words and spirit of imperative peo- 
ple mark manv a church debate: 

"We've heard enough about this 
harebrained idea," the chairman oi the 
Christian education committee remarks. 
"The proposal goes back in the drawer, 
and that's it." 

"I'm tired of all these new people try- 
ing to take over." Sarah Smith moans. 
"My father erected the ralfer beams in 
this meetinghouse, and. by golly, no 
stranger is going to tamper with it." 

">'ou just don't understand," Bob 
Buster admonishes. "Without Mom 
Sherman's permission, it just can't be 
done. Won't you be satisfied with just 
your ushering?" 

Writing in his book SacivJ Coir.v 
Make Gourmet Burgers, church consul- 
tant Bill Fasum reflects "The life and 
spirit of established churches is being 
drained by . . . controllers. . . ." When he 
first started as a consultant. Easum 
tht)ught that "the sacred cow was 
'maintaining the status quo." Not so. 
Established churches worship at the 
altar of control." 

Either we stop worshiping at such a 
shrine, Easum goes on to conclude, or 
we wilj perish. The apostle Paul said a 
similar thing in Galatians 6. "It is obvi- 



ous what kind v\ lilc develops out t)f 
Irving to get our own wav all the time." 
he writes. "Cutlhroat competition; . . . 
divided homes and divided lives; small- 
mindetl and lopsided pursuits; the vicious 
habit of depersonalizing everyone; . . . 
ugly parodies of community. I could go 
on" (Gal. T:lt5-21a. 'Hie Message). 

Ironically, the apostle also implied in 
these words the antidote for such self- 
ish, dead-end behavior. Rather than 
producing parodies of community in 
Christ, he implies, we should be pro- 
ducing prototypes of community in 
Christ, We should move beyond imper- 
ative control to authentic life together, 
in aiul through the Spirit. 

In mv experience, authentic commu- 
niiv, biblically functional community. 
comes about as we strive to become a 
new people, specifically a permission - 
giving, risk-taking. Holy Spirit empow- 
ered people. 

How authentic 
community' develops 

First, authentic community develops as 
we strive to be a permission-giving peo- 
ple. II we intend to move beyond a 
stance of "getting our own way," of 
imperative control, Paul suggested in 
Galatians 5:22, we are called to develop 
a new warmth and trust for one 
another. When we attempt to live God's 
way. not our way. he wrote. "He brings 
into our lives — much the same way that 
fruit appears in an orchard — things like 
affection for others (and) exuberance 
about life. . . ." (Gal. 5:22-23. The Mes- 
sage). Such an atmosphere of growing 
trust encourages us to grant consent, 
rather than withhold it from others. 

In a congregation dominated by a 
climate of control, however, suspicion 
and unbridled fear reign. People 
become anxious and paranoid. Sub- 
consciously, existing leadership keeps 
emerging leadership and ideas under 
its thumb, reigning them into a corral 



nymore 

of conformity. It usually is uninten- 
tional, but the corralling comments are 
unmistakable and pointed. Examples: 
"A new church nursery? Who gave you 
permission to consider this idea?" "A 
ramp for the handicapped? Your Sun- 

If geese have the sense 

to work together, 

why don't we? 

Stop going it alone. 

Stop doing things 

Sour way.' 

Trade in defiance 

for discipleship. 

Trade in obsession 

for obedience. 

Trade in control 

for communitv^ 

and thus rejoin 

the body of Christ. 

day school class had better let the 
stewards handle this." "A contemporary 
worship service? You don't under- 
stand; it's contrary to the bylaws and 
charter of this congregation." 

It is possible, however, to send differ- 
ent signals among church family 
members — signals that grant permis- 
sion rather than withhold it. signals that 
accept different ideas and people rather 
than push them aside. 

In her short story "The Whisper 
Test." Mary Ann Bird tells of growing 
up with a cleft palate and with partial 
deafness in one of her ears. Rejected by 
j.most of her peers, she found special 
acceptance in her second grade teacher. 



Mrs. Leonard. One day the teacher gave 
the annual hearing test to Mary's class. 
She conducted the test by whispering a 
different sentence to each pupil. 

"Finally it was my turn," Mary Bird 
writes. "I knew from past years that as 
we stood against the door and covered 
one ear, the teacher, sitting at her desk, 
would whisper something and we would 
have to repeat it back . . . things like, 'The 
sky is blue' or 'Do you have new shoes?' 
I waited there for those words which 
God must have put into her mouth, 
those seven words which changed my 
life. Mrs. Leonard said, in her whisper, 
'I wish you were my little girl.'" 

Biblically functioning communities 
whisper empowering, accepting words 
rather than restrictive, inhibiting words. 
They give consent for God's people to 
be in Christ and to be in service rather 
than to be tied up in fear and debilitat- 
ing tradition. 

A practical way of whispering an 
empowering word, an accepting word 
in congregational life is to begin mini- 
mizing committees. Do you realize how 
many church committee meetings are 
held each and every day? According to 
Drew University's Leonard Sweet, 
320,000. Committee meetings in and of 
themselves are not evil, but an overde- 
pendence on this decision-making 
process tends to restrict and encumber 
new ideas and new leadership. Like 
good food that has been overprocessed, 
good ideas that have been overcommit- 
teed tend to be tasteless, lacking in 
healthy and vital ingredients. 

When 1 presented this idea 
to Lititz (Pa.) Church of 
the Brethren a few years 
ago, an enthusiastic lay leader 
remarked, "You are absolutely right. 
Probably the most effective outreach 
ministry of this church, the Lititz Run 
for Peace, didn't emerge from a com- 
mittee, but from the vision of a single 
individual. We all caught his vision, and 
ran with it, no pun intended." 

In his book Effective Church Lcader- 
ship. consultant Kennon Callahan 
argues. "It is a myth that every cause 



needs a committee; quite simply a 
cause needs a leader. . . . Discover the 
leader or leaders whose longings . . . are 
a match tor the cause. Nominate one of 
those persons to the post. Give him 
opportunity to advance the cause and 
build his own team in whatever way 
makes sense to him." 

Callahan's dream, and mine as well, is 
a church filled with more ad hoc min- 
istry teams and fewer standing 
committees. Don't misunderstand. 
There always will be a need for some 
standing committees. But the urgent cry 
of our day is for mission-minded people 
to come face to face with lost, disori- 
ented people and do something. We have 
enough talk; what we need is more walk. 

Second, biblically functioning 
community not only develops out of a 
permission-giving people, but out of a 
risk-taking people. 'When I talk of 
risk-taking in this instance, I am specifi- 
cally referring to the risk of vulnerability. 
Control reigns and community wanes 
unless more of us are willing to become 
transparent and real. Imperative, con- 
trolling behavior is developed, in part, 
out of the obsessive need always to be 
perfect and always to be right, what 
Paul, in Galatians 5:20, called "paranoid 
loneliness (and) cutthroat competition." 
Biblically functioning community, on the 
other hand, is developed out of the 
Christ-like need to humble ourselves and 
confess wrongdoings. 

As we speak of confession, I need to 
confess that vulnerability is hard for me. 
In line with our opening quiz, I would 
rather let people have a false impression 
of me than to be open and \ulnerable. 
But I am learning. My wife and I hit a 
bump in our relationship that was con- 
nected to a turning-point birthday in her 
life. In "celebrating," we made the mis- 
take of seeing the film "Mr. Holland's 
Opus." .Although it is a great story, with 
a happy ending, it is not the best film to 
see if you are struggling with birthday 
issues and the beginning of a midlife 
crisis. In the film there is just enough 
sense of life passing you and your 
dreams by that things get turned upside 
down emotionalh'. M\ wife and I strug- 



liinc IQ'^b MossciigcT 21 



glcci \v'\[h all tills on a long. long, long 
trip homo Iroin the nio\ic theater. 

The ne.\t da\ 1 telt terrible about the 
tone ot our eon\er>alion antl some >.>t 
iii\ inisplaeed words. L ,suall\ 1 ux'uld 
.strut through the week tr\ing tti dance 
aroiuid my \v rongikiing. Hut I tlecided 
W) do something that. 1 am embarrassed 
to say. 1 haven't done in years: 1 btnight 
m\ wile tlcnxers. a do/en roses, no less. 
\nd 1 aeeompanied them with a card 
that simply said. "I'm sorr\ " I was 
amazed at m\ wile's reaction. \\ ith m\ 
contrition came genuine warmth and an 
eagerness to fully re-ongage the rela- 
ti^mship. When my wall fell, an enir\ 
point was created \or lo\e. warmth, and 
community to How . 

So. too. with our iMidetul. willtul 
walls when they tall aiul we express \ul- 
nerability to one another. \\ hen we are 
no longer demanding always to be right 
or alwaxs to be in control, an enir\ 
point is created tor lo\e. warmth, and 
community to tlow inii.) our personal 
relationships . . .and into our corporate 
relationships as well. Or as i'aul said in 
Galatians 5:22—21. we tind ourseKes in 
loyal commitments, not needing to 
force our wa\ in lite, able to marshal 
and direct our energies wiseK . 

'\o whom do you need to send flowers 
right now'.' To whom do you need to 
simply say. "1 was wrong. I'm sorry'".' 
Where do you need to risk \ulnerabilit\ '.' 

'Hiird. biblically tunctioning 
community not only develops ou[ ot a 
perniission-gi\ing ami risk-taking peo- 
ple, but out ot a Holy Spirit -empowered 
people. Ultimately the renied\ tor 
imperative, controlling people is to be 
controlled by an authorit\ and sovereign 
greater than their own ititluence. C"n.>d 
.Almighty. 

.■\ number ot years ago. 1 decided to 
drive by the church 1 attended in col- 
lege. Trinity Church of the l^relhren in 
Baltimore. It was a nostalgia visit so 
there was a tair level of emotion 
involved. But as I drove u|i Roland 
.Avenue. 1 was shocked and deeply sad- 
dened. In tront of the beautitul building 
tilled with so many memories was a 
realtor's sian that read "Kor sale." The 



ccmgregation had rim wno hard times: 
the church was closing. 

As I drove away, a tlood t>t teelings 
came over me. 1 thought. "Who can sell 
a clnnxh anvvvay'.'" 

For that matter, who owns the 
church'.' Did you ever think ab(.>ui that'.' 
Is it the stewards commission, the dis- 
trict, the state government'.' Who owns 
the church'' 

I'll tell vou this much: In contlicted. 
(.livided. un-united parishes, controlling 
persLinalilies think thev own the chinch, 
riiev think they can possess and hold 
the heart strings and purse strings ot 
congregational lite. But it is a tutile 
endeavor. In tact, in Galatians 5:1Q. 
I'aul called it a stinking accumulation ot 
mental and emotional garbage. 

But there is a positive alternative: 
Nix our natural inclination to 
possess and run the relation- 
ships of our lives and give them over to 
the proprietorship, the ownership of 
Christ. As Paul went on to say in Gala- 
tians 24. "Legalism is helpless in 
bringing this about: it only gets in the 
way. .Among those who belong to 
Christ, evervthing connected with get- 
ting our own way ... is killed oft tor 
good — crucitled. " Now Christ is in 
charge, whether it is as the head ot i.>ur 
homes or as the head of our church. 
I can't tell you the number ol unitv 
pniblems this one simple principle will 
solve in the lite ot countless congrega- 
tii,>ns. Deciding once and tor all who 
calls the sluits around a particular con- 
gregation will do more to bring 
cohesion than any other element. W ho 
is the boss around vour church, any- 
how'' Who owns and runs your 
CL>iigregation'' An imperative personal- 
ilv'.' A controlling leader'.' A ghost from 
the past'.' Or Christ lesus. the King ot 
Kings and Lord of Lords'.' 

.A while back, Frank Sinatra celebrated 
his 80th birthday. Many festivities led up 
to this event, including a two-album set. 
commissioned by his record company, 
titled simply "Duets." On these albums, 
a who's who of the recording industry 
siuiis akma with Sinatra to a medlev of 



his most tamous songs, including "My 
Way." Ironically, not a single duet part- 
ner was actually in the studio to sing 
with Sinatra, All the singing was done in 
separate locations, across the miles, 
through the marvel of digital technology. 

Whether we know it or nol. many of 
us have been singing a duet vviih Sina- 
tra across the miles as well. Whenever 
we insist on our tnvn agenda, push bel- 
ligerently our own program, or attempt 
repeatedly to manipulate an outcome, 
we toi.1 are crooning right along with 
Frank Sinatra the song "Mv Way." 

But as Paul reminds us in Cuilatians. 
such sentiment doesn't enhance rela- 
tionships; it only erodes relationships. It 
is obvious what kind of life develops 
om ol trying to get our own way all the 
time, he wrote in Galatians 5:1b: "Cut- 
throat competition . . .divided homes 
and divided lives . . . small-minded and 
lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of 
depersonalizing everyone . . . ugly paro- 
dies ol community." 

Liiity in the church, however, doesn't 
ai'ise from parodies of community, but 
rather trom prototypes of community, 
conceived by permission-giving, risk- 
taking. Holy Spirit-empowered people. 
Let us ctininiit ourselves to that perspec- 
tive and to that vision. Mav' we resolve 
that Frank Sinatra doesn't live here any- 
more. It is not my way. but God's way. 

Scientists tell us that geese do not tly 
in a \ formation unintentionally. It is 
deliberate and on purpose. As each bird 
in the \ contlguration tlaps its wings, it 
cicates an uplitt tor the bird immedi- 
atelv following. In fact, when a goose 
tails out o\' formation, it suddenly feels 
the drag and resistance of trving to go 
it alone and quickly gets back into for- 
mation to take advantage of the lifting 
power of the bird in front. 

Now if geese have that much sense, 
why don't we? Stop going it alone. 
Stop doing things "your way." Trade in 
defiance for discipleship. Trade in 
obsession for obedience. Trade in con- 
trol for community, and rejoin A4~ 
the body and flock of Christ. 

I'ltul Miiiuky is director of livungelism on the 
I'arish Ministries Commission staff. 



22 Mc-sengcr lunc Ul^^b 



Another man 
from Galilee 



by Richard A. Kauffman 



Elias Chacour is a man of peace. In 1947. Zionist soldiers duped him and his family out 
of their Galilean homes in the newly formed Israeli state; nevertheless. Chacour has 
demonstrated a Christ-like attitude toward his "enemies" by making his life work the 
reconciliation of hostile parties. It is no wonder that he has been nominated several times tor the 
Nobel Peace Prize. 

Chacour also is a man of action. Committed to restoring justice for the oppressed, he founded 
Prophet Elias Technological High School and College for students of all religious and ethnic back- 
grounds. When plans for the high school were frozen in Israeli bureaucracy. Chacour took a detour 
to get the job done: on a visit to the US. he knocked on the door of then Secretary of State |im 
Baker. Susan Baker, the secretary's wife, warmly welcomed him into the house but said she couldn't 
visit for long. She was making preparations for a women's Bible study she was about to host. 

When he discovered they were going to study the Sermon on the Mount. Chacour asked 
Mrs. Baker, "How can you understand that? It wasn't written for the American mentality, but in 
our language." 

She invited Chacour to speak about the passage with her study group, turning a short visit into a 
two-hour Bible exposition, and a friendship was born. Ultimately, the Bakers personally intervened 
with the Israeli government, which issued the building permit for Chacour's school. 

In past years, Chacour has had a working relationship with the Church of the Brethren, 
dealing with peace issues in the Middle East. 

His life story has been told in Blood Brothers (Chosen Books, 1984). which has been trans- 
lated into 22 languages. Richard Kauffman spoke with Chacour about peace in the Middle East, 
the future of Palestinian Christians in the region, and how he works for the welfare of both 
Arabs and lews. 



Where does the Middle East peace 
process stand in light of the assassination 
of Yitzhak Rabin? 

What is tragic about the assassination of 
Rabin is that the climate in Israel was so hos- 
tile beforehand that the prime minister was 
"killed" long before he was shot down, lewish 
extremists were not just saying "Death to the 
Arabs" in response to the peace treaty with 
Arafat; they were saying "Death to Rabin." 
calling him a traitor and a murderer. The cli- 
mate was ready for some crazy, very 
hot-headed lew to assassinate this man. 

We Palestinian Christians were shocked 
more than anybody else. But what shocks us 
even more than the death of Rabin is the pre- 
vailing climate now in Israel of hostility, 
accusations, and verbal assault. It's very, very 



dangerous. If there were to be a fair interna- 
tional trial for the Rabin assassination, many 
would be judged as guilty because they pre- 
pared the assassin to kill this prime minister. 

Was it hard for you to accept Rabin as a man 
of peace given his past as a warrior who 
fought against Arabs? 

No matter what he once was, what matters 
for me is this: For what did he die'.' He did 
not die while giving orders to kill and mas- 
sacre and break the bones of the Arabs. He 
died because he dared to change attitudes and 
actions, and he wanted to bring peace with 
the Palestinians. And that's extremely coura- 
geous. History, I think, will forgive him for 
everything that he has done and will remem- 
ber that Rabin died for peace. 



"I believe that being 
a follower of Jesus Christ 
means you cannot kill. 
I have been the victim of 
violence by Israeli Jews, 
and I've told them that 
time after time, but 
I don't want them to 
blame me for being 
equally as violent." 



lunc lIQt) Messenger 23 




"If you are really hungry and thirsty, 
you would do everything to bring justice 
where there is no justice." 



What do you think about Yassar 
Arafat? How do you account for his 
transformation? 

Aralai Lindcr>iood ilial uiiIcns big con- 
cessions were made b\ ihe i'aleslin- 
ians — geogra]")liic concessions — and 
unless ihere were an acceptance of Israel 
by the Palestinians, there would onl\ be 
despair. Alter having tried all kinds ol 
terror on both sides, all kinds ot violence, 
both .Vralat and Rabin realized that either 
they li\e together or they will ha\'e to die 
together. So with l^abin, .Aralat will also 
be ktKiwn in history as one who had the 
courage to initiate peace. 

Do you think that Palestinian self-rule in 
the West Bank and Gaza will be able to 
maintain peace in that area? 

The current situation is not at all what 
the Western world expected. Westerners 
said. "Wait till Arafat comes, and you 
will see Palestinians massacring each 
other. They will kill each other; none of 
them will be safe." But the Palestinians 
did not kill each other. (.)n the conirar\. 
the Palestinians seem to be more and 
more united. It is the lews, unfortu- 
nately, not the Palestinians, who killed 
each other o\er peace. Rabin is not the 
first \ictim of the peace process. 

You have experienced all kinds of 
indignities in your life as a Palestinian 
Christian living in Israel. How do you 
keep your anger from escalating into 
hatred and hostility? 

Simply because I'm a Christian. .\nd 
I'm a Christian who believes in je.sus 
Christ in a certain way. There are so 
many Christians who believe in violence 
and are even encouraging the Israelis to 
act violently. The initial funding that 
was given to Israel to invade Lebanon 
in 1Q82 is said to have been ai\en b\ 



Chiisiians Irom the West. Irom Amer- 
ica. I'm not that kind ol Christian. 

What kind of Christian are you? 

I belie\e that being a tollower ol lesus 
Christ means you cannot kill. I have been 
the victim of violence by Israeli lews, and 
I've told them that time after time, but I 
don't want them to blame me for being 
equally as violent. My upbringing in a 
simple Christian family of Galilee has 
taught me something that's so simple: 
Never meet violence with violence: cor- 
ruption will corrupt. Palestinians must do 
everything possible to change the situa- 
tion without ever reversing the roles. We 
do not want to become the persecutors 
of our persecutors. 

You have a strong emphasis in your 
faith and practice on the teachings of 
Jesus, especially the Sermon on the 
Mount and the Beatitudes. 

In my family we were always told that 
Christ did not leach us to sit and wait 
until justice happens. Look at the origi- 
nal texts of the Beatitudes: "Blessed" is 
Toviihi)itii in Hebrew. Ashivi in Ara- 
maic. .And neither of these words means 
only blessed or happy. The meaning of 
these words is to straighten yoursell up 
so that you can reach the goal. 

So. first of all. you need to define 
your goal. Is it righteousness and jus- 
tice? Then ask how eager you are to 
work for the goal. For what do you 
hunger and thirst'.' Is it the same 
hunger and thirst of a Rwandan who 
would do everything to have a piece ol 
bread to survive? Or the same hunger 
and thirst of a Palestinian in Gaza who 
would do everything to have a job to 
buy bread for his wife and his children? 
Or is it a kind of spiritual hunger that 
does not stir you to do anything? If \'ou 
are reallv hunsrv and thirstv. vou would 



i\o everything to bring justice where 
there is no justice. 

Is a peacemaker somebody who stands 
between two hostile groups, or who 
takes sides on behalf on one side? 

No. a peacemaker doesn't stand 
between. It's clear-cut: It means taking 
the side ol the oppressed, underprivi- 
leged, and persecuted without becoming 
one-sided against the persecutor and 
the oppressor. If you really want to help 
the oppressed, since he is always at the 
mercy of his oppressor, you have to care 
for both — convert the oppressor and 
uplift the oppressed. .And that's the diffi- 
cult task: to stand in between might 
bring a cease-fire but not peace. 

How extensively is the Palestinian Chris- 
tian community committed to Peace? 

We've witnessed very, very little violence 
from the Christian community. Some- 
times it seems there is too much 
passivity. But we are trying to find more 
ways to understand, to dialog, to bridge 
the gap that exists. We are almost 
labeled a people who forgive and forget. 

This is what we can contribute to 
this confiict between Muslims and 
Israelis — forgiveness rather than turn- 
ing the page until I can settle accounts. 
Forgive and forget: This is the condi- 
tion for I'cconeiliation. 

I think the term "two states for the nvo 
nations" started with Christian Palestini- 
ans: Two states should exist — one for 
Palestinians, one for Israelis — side by 
side but independent politically and geo- 
graphically. To become viable, they need 
also to be intei'dependent. But the com- 
mon element between them needs to 
cease being military power and start 
being a pursuit of common interests. 

How has the rise of Islamic fundamen- 
talism put stress on relationships 
between Muslims and Christians? 

It has created more stress for Muslims 
who are not fundamentalist than for 
Christians. For example, the third- 



24 Messenger luiie NQb 



largest Arab city in Israel was run by 
secular Muslims. Then the Islamic fun- 
damentalist movement caught on, with 
an emphasis on Islamic |ihad, and the 
Hamas extremist group slowly became 
very strong there. They won the elec- 
tion in that town. 

And the first thing they did was to 
separate the schools, separate boys 
from girls, and to go back to the way 
things were 30, 40 years before. And 
the crisis in that city became so strong 
they don't know what to do with it. So 
they are hurting themselves with fanati- 
cism. It's exactly the same thing when 
it's Christian fanaticism. Christians in 
Galilee are not afraid of Islamic fanati- 
cism alone but afraid of fanaticism no 
matter from where it comes. 

Is there Christian fanaticism within the 
Palestinian community? 

No. But the Christian fanaticism from 
the West is affecting us so much. Take 
Christians here in the United States 
who are more Zionist than many lews. 
These Christians in the West who come 
to Israel to encourage Zionism refuse 
even to have any contact with the local 
Christians in the area. 

What do you say to Christians who, for 
theological reasons, are strongly 
supportive of a Jewish Israeli state but 
seem to have little regard for Palestinian 
Christians? 

I would divide them into two groups: 
those who are willing to consider the 
other side of the story — we can dialog 
with them — and those who dismiss the 
other side. There's nothing to do but to 
pray for them. 

What do you say to American Christians 
who ask, "What can we do to be 
supportive of our Palestinian Christian 
brothers and sisters?" 

I always tell them: So far you have been 
the friends of the jews. God bless you. 
Continue to give your friendship to the 
lews, but stop interpreting that friend- 




President 

McPherson College 

The Presidential Search Comminee of McPherson college invites in- 
quines. nominations, and applications for the position of president 
Dr. Paul W. HotTnian. who has been president for 2(1 years, will retire m 
August of 1996. 

McPherson College is a private, four-year, liberal arts college located in McPherson. Kansas 
Founded m 1887 hy leaders of the Church of the Brethren. McPherson College is committed to 
developing whole persons through scholarship, participation, and service. The college values its 
identity and connection with the Church of the Brethien and seeks candidates who know and 
appreciate this relationship 

McPherson College enrolls approximately 441) students from 27 states and 10 foreign 
countries and employs 39 full-time faculty McPherson College offers baccalaureate degrees in 
2 1 majors and an associate of technology degree in automobile restoration. 

L nder current leadership. McPherson College has experienced 16 consecutive years of 
balanced budgets, has no indebtedness, and operates with sound fiscal management and 
endowment growth The annual operating budget is S8 million, and the college's endowment is 
S17 million 

The attractive campus occupies 23 acres and includes 15 major buildings, all but five built 
after 19b(J The college is located 60 miles northwest of Wichita, in McPherson. Kansas, a 
community ranked as the 33rd best small town in America. 

• Candidates for president should have an earned doctorate degree 

• Candidates should have an understanding of and commitment to the ideals and values of 
the Church of the Brethren 

• Candidates must be committed to the affirmation and development of programs which 
exhibit academic excellence. 

• Candidates should have experience withm private higher education, demonstrating 
effective leadership in strategic planning, governance, marketing, recruitment and retention 
of students, and m fund raising 

The Presidential Search Committee is currently receiving nominations and applications and 
will continue until the appointment is made Inquiries, nominations, and applications, which will 
be treated in confidence, should be sent to 

Dr LaVon Rupel. Chair 

Presidential Search Committee 

Box 47 

McPhervon. Kansas (-.7460 



F 



B 



The Language of God 

' rom generation to generation, the Word of God never 
ch;inges. But the words we use do change, so people of 
faith gather together in councils to develop translations that 
share the power of God with our diildren. N^^/ 

The New Revised Standard Version is your Bible, developed by scholars 
from your denomination through your Council of Churches. 

The Bible Fund is a part of the National Council of the Churches of 
Christ that seeks to support the development and use of standard Bible 
translations. 

We ensure Bible translations ;md sUidy tools unaffected by commercial 
pressures. We can help you and your congregation 
grow closer to scripture. 

1-800-541-2425 

Or Bill Levenns, Dircctiir 

Ki«)m^)lS • 4"S Kiverside Dnve • Neu lurk. M IDlliOOSi) 




lune U>Ki Messenger 25 




"We have to show our Muslim neighbors that 
we are not the descendants of the Crusaders 
but the descendants of Jesus Christ." 



ship ;is iuitoni.ilic oiiniil\ wiili llic 
I'alcstinians you nc\ci' knew. And if you 
lively lo\e the lews, it's lime to eaiv for 
the Palestinians so that the lews. Mus- 
lims, and Christians can li\e at peaee 
\\ ith each othef. 

II one ol \ouf sons has an enemy 
and \ou know that he is in danger, 
what should \ou do? Should you just 
support your son's hale towanl his 
enemy? No. II you are intelligent and 
haw the power. yt)u should tr\ to 
bridge the gap between them — so that 
he becomes the triend o\' his enem\. 
and his enemy comes to appreciate him. 

We preler not to exist in \oin- media 
than to exist in the way you have por- 
trayed us. Portray us as we are — a 
people w ho ha\e lost their country. 



their freetlom. who are leaving the bill 
lor what others ha\e done against the 
lews, and who ai'c not happy because 
ol that. When our children are born, 1 
assure you none are born with swords 
in their hands, none ol them. And 
that's \er\ important lor Westerners to 
imderstand. 

Interreligious dialog is a hot topic today. 
I know that you've been active in 
promoting better understanding among 
Christians, Muslims, and Jews. What's 
your perspective? 

I consider the best way to make rap- 
pr(.)chcment is to give all sides a chance 
to li\'e together. We don'l dialog 
enough about how to live together or 
how to share things together. For 



ex;imple. in my school. 54 percent of 
the students are Muslims. I teach 
Christianity to Christians, and I hire a 
Muslim to teach Islam to the Muslims. 
Hut whenever we ha\'e Christian cele- 
biations, Muslims alsii participate. 

Is your objective merely to bring about 
better understanding and peaceful 
coexistence between these different 
religious bodies? 

No. much nuire. My objective is to help 
our Christians to become more authen- 
tically Christian. W'e have to show our 
Muslim neighbors that we are not the 
descendants ol the Crusaders but the 
desccnilants ol lesus Christ, eager to 
help them kntiw who lesus Christ is. 

Do you have any sense of call or 
conviction about inviting Muslims or 
Jews to faith in Jesus Christ? 

W'e don't invite them to faith. We 
imite them to share what we do. Antl 



"If change doesn't happen immediately, 
am I wiUing to keep trying?" 

Shoveling mud after a flood in Iowa. Rebuilding homes in 
hurricane stricken Miami. Ivan Fry '46 found satisfaction in 
helping others. Having served as Interim Brethren Volunteer 
Service Director as well as a Disaster Project Coordinator, Ivan 
sought to follow in Jesus' footsteps serving those in obvious need. 
Patient, unselfish, and organized, Ivan's career as teacher, pastor, 
coordinator and director combined years of leadership into 
meaningful and satisfying service opportunities. 



Students know Manchester College for the questions we pose. 
And for the help we give them in finding answers. 




Manchester College 



Ciall (219) 9<S2-.S000 to recei\'e more information on Manchester programs or stewardship opportunities, to refer 
prospective students, (ir to let us know if you are planning a special visit. 



26 Messenger lune IQQb 




leiiei'i 



(U 11 



'"'(IIT 



we invite them to understand. It's 
illegal to proselytize in Israel. But 
even if it weren't illegal, we wouldn't 
proselytize. But if a Muslim would 
come to me and say. "Could you 
teach me about Christ?" I would 
never say no. 

For example, two young people 
wanted to get married. The man was 
Muslim and the woman was Christian. 
He came to me and said, "I want to 
marry this woman but I can't because 
I'm a Muslim. Can you baptize me so 1 
can marry her?" I said, "No. I can't 
impose baptism on you just so you can 
get married. I can bless your marriage 
without your becoming Christian. You 
stay Muslim as you are; I respect you 
as you are." 

I celebrated their wedding. After 
their honeymoon, they came back, and 
the man told me, "You respected me so 
deeply. I know that would never hap- 
pen in any Muslim society. I want you 
to tell me about Christ." And for over 
six months, once a week, he and his 
wife came to my place for teaching 
about the Christian faith. After this 
period he asked to be baptized, and 1 
did baptize him. 

You emphasize Jesus as the one who 
breaks down the dividing wall of 
hostility between peoples. Can there be 
genuine peace between alienated 
peoples unless they both acknowledge 
Jesus as Lord? 

Absolutely. We cannot wait until Israel 
and the Arab countries become Chris- 
tians to make peace. They are making 
peace as Muslims and Jews without our 
Christian contribution. Are nations 
which are not Christian able to make 
peace between themselves? Surely they 
are. And as proof of that, they are liv- 
ing together in a peaceful coexistence. 
But if we speak about communion in 
Christ and the peace that that gener- 
ates, that's something else, T# 
something much deeper. I * 

Ricliard A. Kauffiuun. a Mcnnoinic. is mi 
assucicile editor of Christianity Today. 

Reprinted with permission from Cliristianity 
Today, Marcli 4. 1 99L\ 



Will denominations survive? 

The topic of a recent meeting of church leaders from around the nation was 
"Will Denominations Survive?" Well-known sociologists and theologians were 
brought in to address this question. They pointed out that the United States 
no longer is unofficially Protestant, nor even ludeo-Christian. The new basis is 
multicultural because of the growing presence of Islam, Buddhism, and other 
religions and cultures. 

Americans also are increasingly wedded to television, computers, and com- 
muting to work. More and more we provide information and services rather 
than goods to purchase. 

The new pattern of living is accompanied by a new spirituality that is 
expressive rather than ascriptive. The older spirituality ascribed to people a 
pattern of belief and behavior according their religious commitments. Luther- 
ans believed and behaved according to the Lutheran pattern. The same was 
true for Baptists, Methodists. Catholics, and Brethren. 

With the new spirituality, each person wants to express the uniqueness of his 
experience. The marriage of a mountain-climbing couple may take place on a cliff 
because it is their most meaningful experience. Funerals aim more at expressing the 
uniqueness of the person who died than the well-established traditions of his faith. 

The result of the new spirituality is that worship patterns are decided by 
consensus rather than tradition. No decision holds for any length of time. 
Controversy often accompanies decision. Commitment to stewardship is 
replaced by giving to specific projects. 

The new spirituality is uncomfortable to us. akin to being a visitor in a 
strange land. We sometimes wonder whether God is still with us. Secularism 
seems to be winning. The moral standards arc in question. And we ask 
whether denominations will survive. 

The commentators are saying that denominations will continue because the 
patterns of relationship and commitment arc too deep to give way. Spiritual 
questions won't go away. Questions about meaning, suffering, and justice call 
us ever back to God's revealed truth in spite of the new technologies. The 
relationships between people are too deep to disappear. 

But denominations will change even while holding to the deepest sense of 
what is true. The corporate business organization of the denominations is giving 
way. People do not want top-down decisions. Denominations must address the 
pressing issues at home as well as around the world. Such issues include secular 
meaninglessness, family brokenness, widespread violence, addiction, economic 
need, exclusions of minorities, care of the young, and the need for communit> . 
For Brethren this means the recovery of inward fervor and outward disci- 
pline, the root of our Pietist -Anabaptist tradition. It means turning to the 
leading of the Spirit and the study of the Scriptures to discern the mind of 
Christ. It means recovering the power of the gathered church to speak to all 
and of all to speak to the gathered church. It means turning to the will of God 
to address the lostness of our time. It means openness and tolerance of differ- 
ence as an expression of the devotion to Christ. It means continuing the work 
of lesus, peacefully, simply, together. 

Will denominations survive? Indeed they will, say the commentators. But 
they must find their spiritual roots, and they must adapt to the new patterns of 
life in the 21st century. — DoNALt^ E. MlLl.F.R 

Donald E. Miller is general secretary of the Chiireh of tlie Brethren. 



Itiiic IQi-Xi Mcs.scngcr 27 



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Samaritans and homosexuals 

'I'hcrc ;irc parallels in New 'rcstament 
rcrcrences to Samaritans and our relat- 
ing to homosexuals in our society today 
(February, page 30). 

lews looked down on Samaritans, yet 
lesus highlighted a Samaritan who for 
his healing was uniquel\' thankful. 
Another Samaritan was a true neighbor 
to a man beaten and robbed. And the 
lirst evangelist unleashed by lesus in 
Samaria was not Philip, hut the woman 
met at the well. 

.Mong similar lines, I am grateful for 
the many cups o\ cold water 1 have 
received from "Samaritans" homosexu- 
als and from the families and friends of 
homosexuals. 

For fresh insight, we ought to 
explore the dxiiamics and parallels of 
relating with Samaritans in the New 
Testament and our relating with homo- 
sexuals today. 

Roger Eherlx 
Milfonl. Ind. 



We don't want their money 

Regarding the l-T'bruar} letter ".Not 
Getting My Money," money is not the 
issue. 

I feel sorry for those with the afflic- 
tion of being gay. Church members 
should pray for their deli\erance. 

I would not want money from those 
who follow this sinful lifestyle. If the 
church embraces this lifestvle it will fur- 



T)iL' opinions i'XjWiscd in Lawn arc not ncccikurily 
those of the magazine. Readers should receive 
litem in the same spirit with which differing opin- 
ions are expressed in face-io-jdce conversaiions. 

Lciiers should be brief concise, and respectful of 
tite opinions of otiters. Preference is given to letters 
that respond directly to items read in the magazine. 

\\c arc willing to withhold the name of a ivriter 
only when, in our editorial judgment . it is war- 
ranted. We will not consider any letter that comes 
to us unsigned. Whether or not we print the letter, 
the writer's name is kept in strictest confidence. 

.'Uldress letters to IVIessfncfr editor. 14il 
Dundee -\ye . Elgin. IL 60120 



28 Messenger lunc 199b 



Pontius' Puddle 



\otict': Send paynieiic jor reprinting "Pontius ' Puddle" from MESSr.NGER 
lu luel Kaufjmann. 1 1 1 Curler Road. Goshen. IN 4b52b $25 for one 
iiiue u^e. S 1 for second strip in same issue. SIO for congregations 



ther reduce our membership. Gays 
wouldn't want to be blamed for helping 
destroy a church. 

Wilfred Keagy 
La Venie. Calif. 



No tolerance for sin 

! Regarding the February letter "Not 
Getting My Money," the church is not 
a business in which you invest your 

: money and get something in return. 
Money can't buy God's grace and sal- 

, vation. That comes only through Christ, 

! and it is free. 

The church has no "official policv of 

1 bigotry." But Christ and his church 

I cannot tolerate sin. We have to be born 
again, putting aside sinful ways. 
Good works are not enough for God. 

I We must live in his will. Homosexuality 

, is a sin: there is nothing else to it. The 
Church of the Brethren, as the body of 
Christ, has to stand firm against it. 
I am not judging against homosc.xu- 

I als; the Word of God is clear. 

Keep the discussion of homosexuality 
out of Messenger, and leave it to the 
Annual Conference committee. 

.; Milton j. Garcia 

!' Castai'wK Puerto Rico 



All we need is the Bible 

Each year at Annual Conference we 
deal with queries that call for clarifica- 
tion of the Bible (February, page 6; 
May. pages 10-15). Why? Scripture 
already is clear about how to walk with 
our Savior, jesus Christ. Yet, every year 
we strive to rewrite his Word. 

We have defined and redefined such 
things as elders, deacons, and baptism, 
to name a few, and now are working on 
assisted suicide. As an example of the 
clarity of the Bible. Titus 1 gives clear 
instruction on the office of elder, and 1 
Timothy 1 presents God's instruction for 
deacons. What more needs to be said? 

Concerning the end times, the Bible 
says that the enemy will gain strength 
and use any manner oi things to 



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^m^ in Pray er 



Daily prayer guide: 

Suiuliiy: \our congrcgalimi's ministries 

Monday: Annual tunlcrcncc oiTicL'rs 

Tuesday: deiieral Board and stall 

Wednesday: District exeeuti\es. 

Bethany Seniinaiy. colleges 

and uni\'ersit\ 
Thursday: General Services 

Friday: Parish Ministries 
Saturday: World Ministries 

June prayer concerns: 

Congregation: High school and col- 
lege graduates: \acation Bible school. 

Conference: I'le-Conterence meetings 
in Cincinnati: Cincinnati Habitat pro- 
ject: Conlerence. its ollicers and 
lireacliers, |ulv 2-7. 

General Board: Search committee lor 
the new general secretary; Executive 
Conitn. and Goals & Budget Cotiini. 
meetings |une 29-30: General Bd. 
meeting [uly 1: Getieral Bd. staff 
"coping" with the redesign process: 
Redesign Conim. presenting options 
to Cieneral Bd. 

Districts and schools: Bethany Semi- 
nary commencement lune 15; CODF. 
meeting lune 50-|uK 2. 

General Services: Beth Sollenlierger 
Morphew's summer visits to congre- 
gations. 

Parish Ministries: New Life Assembly 
lune 14-lti; Church-related Institu- 
tions Conference at Flizabethtown 
College June 13-15; ABC Brethren 
Caregivers Conference |uly 1-2. 

World Ministries: Refugee Disaster 
Ser\ices. Donna Derr. director. 



dcccixc us. .Arc we opening the tkmr'.' 

Ill the beginning. God created the 
liea\cns and the earth: then he sepa- 
lated the light front the dark. I sec no 
gray areas. Brothers atnl sisters, I 
implore \uu to seek first the kingdom 
o\ Ciod and to work to bring glory to 
his nanie. 

R Kciih Heckiicr 
W iiishni SiiU'iii. iV.C. 



Stick to approved list 

The .April editorial suggests we can 
learn Ironi Robert F.. Lee: He was laith- 
lul and he made the best of things. We 
can learn frcmi ix'o even while disap- 
proving ol his leading a war to create a 
nation of slaxeluilders. 



From the 
Office of Human Resources 

TEACHERS, Business Education 
and Vocal Music 

I lillcrest School. Nigeria 

This is a special oppoi"lunit\' to leai.li 
in a K- 1 2 international Christian 
school with an excellent reputation 

ADMINISTRATOR/ 

Theological Educator. Sutlan 

I'heologieal I-duLalion by 
lixtension ( lid-) I'rogram 

I iir iiioiv iiiloniuinnii ciill Mcimi 

Kcciicy. Africii 'MiiLllc l-nsl Rcpn'.sciilih 

liw (SllOl )2^-,S'(H^; 



It also would be possible to |ioinl to 
others ol whoni we c*;;; apiirovc. and 
who were no less reniarkably sustained 
des|iite ongoitig defeats. What sus- 
tained Ouaker abolitiimisi ["lihu 
Burritt? What sustained jane Addanis 
as she op]iosed LIS in\olvenietil in 
World War I'.' What sustained pacilisni 
activist A.|, Music'.' 

Sonielinics it would be belter if 
peiiple were not susiaineil in their con- 
ceptions ol duty and honor. Lee fought 
on despite his near certainty of defeat, 
allowing tlniusands of people to die 
unnecessarily. 

For spiritual inspiration appropriate 
to our historic peace church tradition, 
turn to bicigra|ihies ol peace heroes. 

lames C juhnkc 
iJizahclhtinvn. I\i. 



My trust was shattered 

Last year at Conference I displayed a 
quantity o\ my Ixxik I lowers far Pcgg)>: 
One CiHiple's Hxpericiice with Ahhcinicrs. 
Fach book had a note in it requesting a 
noniinal paytnent be sent to me. 

My faith in Brethren was badly chal- 
lenged w hen only a third of the people 
who took a book sent the payment. I 
grie\e that Brethren are not as trust- 
worthy as they once were. I'm not 
surprised that there is a decline in 
national trust, considering that wc 
Brethren have the same iiroblem. 

Iraiikllii K Cassc'l 
IaiiuiisIci: Ph. 



CLASSIFIED ADS 



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growing fellowship in Durham, N C , invites Brethren 
moving to Research Triangle area (Raleigh. Durham, 
Chapel Hill) to worship w/ us Eager to provide moving 
assistance (unloading, childcare, area info ) for those 
relocating to area For info , contact; Fellowship, PO, 
Box15607, Durham, NC 27704 Tel (919)490-6422, 
E-mail, ShalomCOB@AOL COM 

INVITATION— Are you in transition'' Wish fo relocate'' 
Consider Pueblo, Colo , great place to live, work & wor- 
ship w,/ a Church of the Brethren Fellowship For info & 
transition assistance, contact Wayne Bowman, 1622 
Jackson, Pueblo, CO 81004, Tel (719) 564-0742 

TRAVEL— South Africa, Land of Nelson Mandela and 
Archbishop Tutu. Jan. 3-15, 1997 Visit old Johannes- 
burg, Pretoria, gold mine, Kruger National Park and 



other parks for big game safans, Swaziland, Zululand, 
Cape Town, and Cape of Good Hope Optional visit to 
Victoria Falls For info , write: J Kenneth Kreider 1300 
Sheatfer Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 

TRAVEL — Pilgnmage to Israel, Jordan, & Greece Oct, 
20-Nov 2, 1996 (14 days) You are invited to |Oin 
Wendell & Joan Bohrer on then 10th pilgnmage lo the 
Holy Land Visit Jericho, Capernaum, Jerusalem, 
Hebron, the Dead Sea, Qumran, Petra, Athens, Delphi, 
and much more Cost $2,489 from New York For 
info wnte or call 8520 Royal Meadow Dnve, Indi- 
anapolis, IN 46217 Tel/Fax (317) 882-5067. 

WANTED— Info, about life of Barbara Nickey, M D, 
Dianes. articles, letters, photos, personal memories, 
etc Write to Jo Wampler. R R 1 Box 269, Mountain 
City, TN 37683 Tel (423) 727-4722 



30 Messenger lune 1006 




Wedding 
I Anniversaries 

Barnes, lames and Thelnia, 

Basselt. Va., 50 
Beach, Lester and Naomi, Mar- 

tinsburg. Pa.. 60 
Bechtel, Doug and Cora lean, 

Reading, Pa., 50 
Bowers. .Mired and Ethel. 

Woodstock, Va., 50 
Bowser. Luke and Lola, Mar- 

tinsburg. Pa., 50 
Brandt, Abner and Martha, 

Manheim. Pa., 55 
Buckingham, Sam and Fran- 

cisse. Prairie City, Iowa, 50 
Byerly. Robert and Helen, 

South Bend, Ind., 60 
Corle, Harold and Hazel, Roar- 
ing Spring, Pa.. 50 
Duncanson, Harold and 

Kathryn. Modesto, Calif.. 55 
Fox. Delbert and Bernice, 

Croshen, ind., 60 
Gates, Cricnn and lane, Holli- 

daysburg. Pa,, 50 
Haldeman. Robert and Viola, 

Manheim, Pa., 50 
Hershey, |acob and Verna, 

Lititz. Pa., 50 
Hundley, Albert and Frances, 

Bassett, Va., 50 
Kuhn, LaVon and Donna, Nap- 

panee, Ind., 50 
Lutz. lohn and .%ina, 

Lititz, Pa., 60 
Lutz. Howard and Mildred, 

Lititz, Pa., 55 
Phillips. Paul and Rachel. 

Goshen. Ind., 60 
Rhodes. Robert and Madeline, 

.Martinsburg, Pa., 55 
Roth. Book and Arlene, 

Carlisle, Pa., 50 
Scheffer, loel and Ellen. Char- 
lotte. N.C., 50 
Shoemaker. Warren and 

Dorothy, Piqua, Ohio, 50 
Watson, .\lice and Stanley. 

.Modesto. Calif, 55 
Webb. Roy and Margaret, 50, 

Fincaslle, Va.. 50 
Wenger. Henry and Mary. Lititz, 

Pa,, 60 



' Licensing/ 
I Ordination 

i' Barldey, Kathleen D., licensed 
' Feb. 17, 1996. Purchase 

Line, W Pa. 
I Crull. Walt, ordained Feb. 27, 
I 1996, Fairview/Mount Clin- 
' ton, Shen. 
Donadio. Raymond M.. 
licensed Feb 6, 1996, Oak- 
land, S Ohio 
Filehetl. William, ordained Feb. 
27, 1996, Columbia Furnace, 
Shen. 
Hufford, Lisa, licensed March 
12, 1996. Harrisonburg 
First. Shen. 
Mellott, Dorothy, ordained Oct. 
24. 1995. Free Union, Shen, 
Thomas, Rodger L. ordained 
Feb, 17, 1996, Berkey. 
W, Pa. 
Tschetter, lohn, ordained Ian. 



15, 1996, West Charleston, 

S, Ohio 
Whilten, David, licensed March 

12, 1996, Middle River, 

Shen, 
Young, Wilbur, ordained Oct. 

24, 1995, Little River, Shen. 

Pastoral 
Placements 

Collins, lohn, Pulaski First. Vir- 
Ima. from interim to full-time 

Doss, Martin, from secular to 
Blue Ridge, Virlina 

Lawson, Mark, from secular to 
Fairchance, W, Pa. 

Nalley, |ohn, from Spring 
Mount. M. Pa., to Meyers- 
dale, W. Pa, 

Reichenbach, Douglas, from 
other denomination to Hope, 
Mich 



Deaths 

Anderson. Esther F, 55, Fulks 

Run, Va,, Ian, 19, 1996 
Beery. Harry E,, 69. Harrison- 
burg. Va.. Dec. 11. 1995 
Berg. Gary V, S3, Mavsville, 

WVa., Dec. 28, 1995 
Bible, Reva |„ 48, Maysville, 

WVa,, Dec, 10. 1995 
Bowman, .Mary E,. 67, Penn 

Land, Va., Apr. 20, 1996 
Brownsberger, Roy D,, 79, 

Mount |ov. Pa,, Mar. 20, 

1996 
Buffenmeyer, Richard P., 66, 

Lebanon, Pa., Apr, 17, 1996 
Campbell, Ruby V, 81, Penn 

Laird, Va., Mar, 5, 1996 
Carmany, Martha A., 56, Eliza- 

bethtown. Pa., Apr. 4, 1996 
Coffman, Betty lean G., 64, 

Edinburg, Va,, Mar, 23, 1995 
Cook, Ethel M„ 79, Woodstock, 

Va., Ian. 16. 1996 
Corbin. Phillip A., 79, Bridge- 
water, Va., Dec, 27. 1995 
Craun, Helen O,, 82, Mount 

Sidney, Ian. 26. 1996 
Crowe, .\nnabelle S., 97, 

Staunton, Va„ Mar. 7, 1996 
Cutlip, Terence A,, Sr,, 54, 

Criders. Va,, Ian, 11, 1996 
Davis, Margaret M,, 85, 

Bridgewater, Va,, Apr. 14. 

1996 
Davis, Carl T, 72, Keezletown, 

Va., Dec. 29. 1995 
Deitz, Maurice A., 96, War- 

dcnsville, W,Va„ Ian. 17, 

1996 
Delawder, "Bonnie, 57, Fulks 

Run, Va,, Dec, 19, 1995 
Driver, Beulah W., 92, Har- 
risonburg, Va., Dec. 10, 1995 
Driver, Minnie F, 89, Staunton, 

Va,. Dec, 30, 1995 
Driver, Wilbur Stover, 91, Day- 
Ion, Va,. Dec, 8, 1995 
Epiey, Shirley B,, 70. Broadway, 

Va,, Mar, 12, 1996 
Eshleman. Roy E.. 85, 

Quarry^Tlle, Pa., .Apr. 1 7, 

1996 ' 
Faw. Mary P, 87, McPherson, 

Kan,, Mar. 26, 1996 



Fitzwater, .Vlelvin A., 79. 

Mathias. W.Va., Apr, 1, 1996 

Fleming, Nelson R,, 41, 

Burlington, WVa., Mar, 30, 
199b 

Flora, Marshall L., Sr.. 73, 
Booncs Mill, Va., Apr. 5, 
199b 

Foley, Linden E,, 79, Buena 
Vista, Va„ Apr, 1, 1996 

Fry, Ivan L,. 71, Larwill, Ind,, 
Apr. 14. 1996 

Funk. Lewis F.. 77, Baker, 
WVa„,Apr 5, 1996 

Funkhouser. Maxine C, 75, 
Bridgewater. Va,. Mar. 4, 
1 99b 

Garber. Isaac I , 90, Harrison- 
burg, Va , Apr 14, 1996 

Guthrie, lohn R L , 82, Broad- 
way, Va.. Ian. 15, 1914 

Gulshall, Helen A., 83, Man- 
heim, Pa., Ian. 2, 199b 

Haekman, Richard H,, 82, 
Manheim, Pa„ Mar, 26, 
199b 

Hardy, Lula W, 85, Woodstock, 
\a". Mar. 24. 1996 

Harper. Leon L . 81, Peters- 
burg, WVa„ Ian, 2. 1996 

Hartman. Thomas A., 87, 

Franklin, WVa., Apr, 8, 1996 

Haugh. Bernice D,, 89, Har- 
risonburg. Va., Apr. 16, 1996 

Healwole, Hattie A,, 84, 
Hinion, Va,, jan, 27. 199b 

Heisey. Arthur N., 78. Myers- 
town, Pa,, Ian, 28, 1996 

Henry, Mary B,, 95, Lancaster, 
P.i', Ian, "S, 1996 

Hillyard, Grace M,, 95, Har- 
risonburg, Va., Ian 23, 1 99b 

Hinegardner, Benjamin D., 78, 
Mathias, WVa , Mar. 19, 
1 99b 

Hoover, Cleo V, 83, Dayton, 
Va,, Ian. 10, 1996 

Housden, Richard L,, Sr,, 71, 
Stanley, Va,, Mar. 26. 1996 

Howdyshell. Edna F. 92, Day- 
ton, Va„ Mar, 1, 1996 

Huffman, lohn O., Sr,, 71. 
Dayton, Va.. Mar. 2. 199b 

Huffman. Llovd C , 90, Luiav, 
Va , Dec 31, 1995 

Huffman, Wesley H,, 74, Mount 
Solon, Va„ Dec, 18. 1995 

lenkins. Marian E.. 65, Luiay, 
Va, Ian, 4, 1996 

Kesler. Olive R„ 82, Bridge- 
water, Va,, Dec, 30, 1995 

King. ,A, Kurtz, 89, Lititz, Pa , 
Mar 22, 199b 

Kline. Beulah M,, 71, Ephrata, 
Pa,, Ian. 17. 1996 

Landis. Victor A., 71, Hinion, 
Va,, Ian. 5, 1996 

Lanlz. Mildred C, 77, Franklin, 
W.Va,, Mar, 3, 1996 

Maupin. Virginia V. 84. Free 
Union, Va,, Mar, 21, 199b 

Miller. Charlotte, V 70, Broad- 
way, Va,, Ian, 24, 199b 

Miller. Kenneth H,, 72. Baker. 
W.Va., Ian. 10. 199b 

Mongold. Dayton M.. 78. New 
Market. Va.. Mar. 13. 1996 

Moomaw. Rose A.. 43. Wood- 
stock, Va„ Dec, 31, 1995 

Morgan, Audrey |., 60, McVey- 
town, Pa,, Dec, 22. 1995 



Painter, Elsie M,, 73, Lurav, 
Va„ Mar. 28. 199b 

Paul, Lois Teach, 78, Elgin, 111, 
Apr, 16, 1996 

Peer, Thruston S., 77, 
Maurertown, Va., Apr 4, 
1 996 

Pennington, Richard E., 68, 
Harrisonburg, \'a., Ian 10, 
1996 

Pelerman, Alberta M,, 79, Har- 
risburg. Pa., Mar. 29. 199b 

Petit, Alfred L,, 74, Timberville, 
Va„ Mar, 18, 1996 

Powell. Mary B,. 88, Abingdon, 
Va , Ian 14, 1996 

Propst. Rebecca V, 72. Dayton, 
Va , Dec, 12, 1995 

Pugh. Delmer D,, SO, Waynes- 
boro, Va,, Ian, 15, 1996 

Ritchie, Delmar .M., 78, New 
Market. Va,, Ian, 13, 199b 

Rivera, luan jesus, 70. Lan- 
caster, Pa., Ian, 19. 1996 

Rivera. Maria E., 62, Lancaster, 
Pa., Mar, 11, 1996 

Schultz. Bernice. 74. Friedens. 
Pa . Aug. 10, 199b 

Schultz. Dorothy, 87, La Verne, 
Calif,, Dec, 20, 1995 

See, Harold L,. 78, Mathias. 
WVa., Ian, 21, 1996 

Sheffer, Nina, 88, Mount Solon, 
Va,. Feb 25, 199b 

Shiflett, Edith B,, S4, Harrison- 
burg, Va,, Ian 10, 1996 

Shipe, Ray W„ Sr., 87, Mathias, 
WVa . Mar, 18. 1996 

Shoemaker. Earl, 85, Elizabeth- 
town, Pa, Feb. 20, 1996 

Showalter. lohn W,, 72, Day- 
ton, Va , Dec, 30, 1995 

Simmons. Mordecai, 70, Mount 
Solon, Va., Feb, 25, 1996 

Simpson. Ernest F. Ir,, 85. 
Harrisonburg, Va., Feb. 10, 
1 99b 

Simpson. Loren S., 80, Bridge- 
water, Va,. Mar, 14, 1996 

Sines. Oscar, 87, Oakland, 
Md., Dec, 31, 1995 

Singo. William, 64, Somerset, 
Pa , .Aug, 9, 1995 

Smith. .Alfred, 87, Falls Church, 
\a., Feb. 26. 1996 

Smith, Edna M.. 94, Bridgewa- 
ter, Va„ Apr 20, 1996 

Smith, Emma, 85, Bridgewater, 
\a,, Feb, 17, 1996 

Smith, Emory, 85, N, Manches- 
ter, Ind,, Ian, 6. 1996 

Smith. Herman, 76, Lebanon, 
Pa , Feb, 27, 199b 

Smith. Robert, 69, Pasadena, 
Md,, Ian 25, 1996 

Suavely. Howard |,, 87, Mount 
Gretna. Pa., Ian. 9. 1996 

Souder. Margaret H,. 84, Broad- 
way, Va,, Dec, 16, 1995 

Spencer, Maari, 23, Ruek- 
ersville, Va,, March 12, 199b 

Spicher. Elaine, 87. Weyers 
Ca\e, Va,, Feb, 13. 1996 

Stahl. Elizabeth, 86, Chambers- 
burg, Pa,, Aug, 30, 1995 

Slaub, Emily, 89, New Oxford, 
Pa„ luly 31, 1995 

Steffcy. Melvin G,, S3, 

Staunton, Va,. Mar, 4, 199b 

Stein. Naomi. 95, Everett, Pa . 
LX-c, 22. 1995 



Sterner, Mabel. 82. Brodbecks. 
Pa,, Oct, 25, 1995 

Stock, Robert. 68. East Berlin. 
Pa„ Ian, 19, 1996 

Stover. Donald, 64, Harrison- 
burg, Va„ Feb, 2, 1996 

Strawderman. Orphia T, 61, 
Mathias, WVa„ .Mar, 25, 
1 99b 

Strickler. .Anna Mae, 88, La 
Verne, Calif, Dec, 28, 1995 

Siroop, Bobby L,, 56, Winches- 
ter, Va., Dec, 5, 1995 

Stutsman, Doris. 38, West 
Goshen, Ind,, Ian, 2, 1996 

Sunday. Donna, 59, Brodbecks. 
Pa,"Oct, 13, 1995 

Sutton. Sewell, 78, Knoxville. 
Tenn , Dec, 25, 1995 

Terrell, Tim, ,Montpelier, Ind,, 
Feb. 6. 1996 

Thacker, Freda H.. 64. Mechan- 
icsburg. Pa.. Mar. 30, 1996 

Thomas. Nina, 77, Peace Valley, 
Mo , Nov. 27, 1995 

Thomas. Stella, S4, Rocklord, 
III , Dec 23, 1995 

Trenary. ,Ada M., Harrisonburg, 
Vii.Apr 18, 1996 

Trestle. Mary, 96, New Oxford, 
Pa., Feb. i, 1996 

Turner, [ohn L,, 85. Broadway, 
Va.. Feb 25. 1996 

Turner. Robert, 82. Manheim. 
Pa,. Mar. 1. 1996 

Turner. Warren W,. 75, Criders, 
Va., Mar, 9. 1996 

VanHuss. lohn A., 56. Har- 
risonburg, Va., Ian, 8. t99b 

Wagner, Irving. 87. Crimora. 
Va., Feb, 18, 1996 

Wagner, O. Walter, 92, La 
Verne, Calif, Ian, 27, 199b 

Wallace. Esther, 89. Des 

Moines, Iowa, Dec 26, 1995 

Wanner. Arvilla, 88, Reading. 
Pa, March I, 199b 

Wanner. Harry. 84. .Akron, Pa,. 
Feb 9, 199b 

Wareham, Roscoe, S2. New 
London, Pa,, No\ 8, 1995 

Wealthcrholtz, Mary, S3, Har- 
risonburg, Va,, Feb 27, 199b 

Welborn, ,'\lma, 89, Riverside. 
Calif, Oct. 29. 1995 

Weldon. Donald. 48. Harrison- 
burg. Va., Dec, 28, 1995 

Wenger. Nora. 91, Rapho 
Township. Pa.. Feb. 1 . 1 99b 

Wetzel. Harry W.. 84, Wood- 
stock, Va,. Mar, 8, 1996 

Whisler. Evie S., McFarland. 
Calif, Dec. 30, 1995 

Whisler, Richard L., McFarland, 
Calif, Dec. 30. 1995 

Williams. Lily. 80. Modesto. 
Calif. Aug. 24, 199b 

Winger, Mary, 93. Mercersburg, 
Pa„ Feb, il, 1996 

Wise, Margaret. Middletown, 
Md,, luly 16, 1995 

Wilkovskv. Ethel. 87. Beaver- 
ton, M'ich , Dec. 27, 1995 

Woodeox. Demerice. 8b, 

Garrett, Ind,, Nov, 16, 1995 

Worley. lohn. 89. Hanover, Pa,. 
Feb, 2, 199b 

Wright. Mary, 90, Bridgewater, 
\a,, Feb, S, 199b 

Zcll. W illiam, 76, Salunga, Pa,. 
Feb, b. 199b 



jimc lOQCi MessenscT 31 



Do we hear our Savior calling? 



I low many readers have a iiiollicr like mine. who. 
wtien her child is ail wroughl up and thinks ihe 
woild is chiming lo an end because dI (he pioblem 
ol the moment, sizes up that pruhlem and pro- 
nounces. "This. loo. shall pass'".' 

That's what I'm read) [o sa\ about the present 
s]iate ot agonizing o\er who scholars say that lesus 
is. '*i'ou know about the iihenomena: T\' talk shows 
host snuirlx -pants Bible scholais who sctill at 
Christian beliels. labluid media gi\e the subject 
their usual outlandish spin. The three major news 
magazines simiiltaneousl\ gi\e lesus co\er-story 
treatment. Preachers join the hue and cry. 

M\ own pastor took up the subject ol who lesus 
is. and led me to belie\e that we listeners were 
charged with ei->ming up with an answer. I took him 
seriousK. Alter twi.) Sunda\'s of such sermons. I was 
all w(.>rkei.l up in a lather, but 1 must ha\e missed 
something because the next Sunday 1 was jarred b\ 
his switching lo preaching about family \alues. 
riiere I was. read\ to tell wIki ! sa\ jesus is. only to 
discover that the subject had been changed, in such 
a ease, what's a parishioner who also is an editor 
sui"iiioseil til dL>'.' Here goes: 

.Much ol the pi-eseni brouhaha has been 
occasioned by the doings ol the "lesus Seminar" 
(October lOQU. "Is That jesus We Hear Speaking'.'" 
b\- Rick Gardner). The jesus Seminar is a highly 
publicized scholarly think tank that has met twice a 
year since 1^185 to \ote on the historical aceurac\ ol 
the savings attributed to lesus in the Gospels. 

.•\s if the \ery notion of such an exericise weren't 
suflicieni altront to believers, the outcome ol the 
\(.ite is even more ol an outrage. ,\ccording to these 
scholars. 82 percent of the weirds attributed to jesus 
wei'e not spoken bv him. Thev ilecided that only 
one statement in Maik came from jesus. and that 
nary a saving in lohn is reliable. 

The problem with this lead balloon that the lesus 
Seminar has launched is that it has put jesus on trial 
again, and the only evidence admissible to it is what 
can be known about jesus from history, literary 
sources, anthropology, and reason. There is a lot of 
scholarly studv that can help us along our faith jour- 
ney — learning about the social conditions ol 
first-century Palestine, for example. But to assume 
that a social context captures the nicuiiiiisJ of a per- 
son is like accepting a job-hunter's resume as an 
autobiographv' divulging the essence of the applicant. 

Was jesus just an imwashed peasant carpenter, 
just one itinerant jireacher among many, or just the 
earthy founder of a movement? Who cares',' What's 
important to me is the core claim of the New Testa- 



ment that jesus was the unique incarnation of God 
bv whose lile, death, and resurrection salvation is 
Ireely ollered lo the world, jesus asked, "Who do 
you say that J am'.'" (Mark 8:29). not "What do 
you make ol my social eonlext?" Yes, 1 know the 
jesus Seminar savs jesus didn't ask any such thing: 
the only authentic lesus quote in Mark is the line 
about rendering unto Caesar (Mark 12:17). 

I like the wav one Seminar critic put it: "'I'o assume 
that the earnest though bewildered jesus ol the jesus 
Seminar . . . could have affected the course of human 
history as jesus Christ really has is like stumbling upon 
a crater and supposing it the result of a cherry bomb." 

As 1 understand the Gospels, jesus did not say he 
had come to start a little dialog about what is true. 
He said, rather. "I am the way, and the truth, and 
the life" (John I4:b). And. again. I know the jesus 
Seminar discounts the entire Gospel of John. 

Look, we mere mortals don't have the resources, 
on our own. to think about matters such as God, 
truth, and justice betore we know jesus, who is for 
us, the way. the truth, and the life. So. let's not get 
the cart before the horse, thinking that just as we 
are, we are capable of thinking about such matters 
vvitheiut first knowing jesus, without conversion, 

VVe don't arrive at truth through skillful argu- 
ment, as il it were accessible through common 
sense. II it were, we ought to worship ourselves 
rathei- than learn to worship jesus. Thai's the whole 
point, isn't it'.' lesus was deadly serious when he 
said he was the wav. the truth, and the life. We 
would not have a clue to what was going on. or 
how tci think about things, if God had not loved us 
enough to send the Son who incarnates the truth 
and the Spirit who guides us into all truth. 

.'\s Bethany Seminary dean Rick Gardner says 
(October IQQO, page 24). "The most important 
agenda in our study of the Gospels is not whether 
jesus spoke a particular saying long ago. The most 
important agenda is. rather, whether wc hear lesus 
speciking throuiih the word the Gospels proclaiiu. 
and whether we respond in obedient trust" (italics 
l^ick Gardner's). 

So. pastor, who di.i i say jesus is'' Let's put it this 
way: He's that narrow, narrow bottleneck in an oth- 
erwise dead-end canyon through which we must 
squeeze if we are to gain the vista of eternal truth 
beyond. Given the darkness on this side, scarcely 
illumined by our own feeble light, it's worth the 
pain of the squeeze. Through that narrow aperture 
I can hear mv Savior calling. — K.T 



32 .Messenger lune M^lb 







irina sil at the w^lcbirie table. 
Igonna sit at the welcome table 
bne of these days, hallelujah! 
t'e're gonna sit at the welcome table, 
/e're gonna sit at the welcome table 
one of these days. 

—^Traditional Spiritual 






Wisivfi 



iWiiiifiiiiMaiiiiiiii;i'; 



y 



^^. aj^jj^'.'' 




The welco 



Since 1980, the Washington C^ity Church of 
the Brethren has operated the only soup 
kitchen on Capitol Hill. Each weekday it feeds 
160 of the neighborhood's hungry and homeless 
people. It also arranges legal counsel, distributes 
clothing, anti cares tor spiritual needs. 

Workers from ISrethren \olunteer Service 
antl \()limteers from a dozen ciuirches of the area 







reguiarlv help stall the Brethren Soup Kitchen. 

A Global Food Crisis grant of $30,000 is 
enabling the Soup Kitchen to piirciiase food 
and replace ovens, tables, and chairs. 

lust ". . . as Christ welcomed you," you can 
help host a welcome table lor the hungry or 
homeless on ("ajiitol I 111! ami aroumi tiie work 
Ciive to the Cilobal I-Ocul Crisis Inmd. 



Global Food Crisis Fund 

Church of the Brethren Gener.il Bojrd, 1451 Dundee Ave., Eli;in, IL 00120 



E 



Altoid.ible rctirciiicnt choices to meet the chani;inji 

Htcstylcs :iiul needs of today's niaturini; atkiUs. A 

natioiialh aeeretUted ('hiistian Coiitimiins* C^arc 

Ixctircnicnt Coiiiniunity ojicn to all faiths. Discover 

the main amenities our caTUims provides. 

'»^ ( lottaLies >>^ Apartments ^>»- Tersonal ('are ^^ NursinLJ ( larc 

I'ost Hospitalization 6>: Rehabilitation Ser\iees 

^^' "Special dare" (Alzheimers I nit 




Cntss Keys Village 



(717) 624-2161 



22'H) Carlisle Pike 
New Oxford. I'A 17350 




f=l 



(Intersection of T.S. Routes 30 and PA 94) 



^ 



r'^^ 



*«^ 



Church of the Brethren July 1996 



f 



f 




Following Jesus' teaching: 
'■ A twofold task 




Editor: Kermon Thomasson 
Managing Editor: Nevin Dul.iljaum 
Editorial Assistant: Paula Wilding 
Production, Design: Paul Stocksdale 
Subscriptions: Vicki Roche. Martha Cupp 
Promotion: Linda Myers Swanson 
Study Guide Writer: Willard Dulabaum 
Publisher: Dale Minnich 



n the cover: 

Stiiiiclimcs 
Ihibilal lor 
iim;iiiit\ is c;illc(.l llic 
iiiissimi o\ the Bible ;ind 
ihe hammer. Ne\in 
I Hihih.iuin explains why 
in ihe mti(.nlneli):\ ailiele 
(page I ti) to a eluster on 
Biethien halaneing the 
eoiieepts o\ e\ant;elism 
ani.1 social action. 




B 



Ci-iURCH 

OF THfc 

BRETHREN 



3"^ 




Features 

12 Our little German brother 

Ills name means "sIumI, .hkI he was sluul. but I lenrv 
Kurtz was a giant among the Brethren, blazing a trail ol 
reform anti change that the church has lollowed e\ei 
since. Stoi\ In keimon I hoinasson, SKlebai" b\ PonaM 
I'. Durnbaugh 

16 Bringing out the best 

It is sMubolic .iikI lining lor Bietliren to buikl a I labitat 
lor lIumanilN house during Annual Conference, writes 
Nevin Dulabaum. In so doing, thev merge twti concepts 
ol what "continuing the work ol lesus" is all about. 

18 Saving and serving: 

Overcoming one-sided Christianity' 

When lesus told the synagogue crowd in Nazareth that 
he had come to preach and proclaim the good news, was 
he talking about esangelisin or social action'.' II vou 
examine the lecoul ol what lollowed. wiites Hon lit/kee 
\ou will see he was lalking about both 

20 Saving souls without losing our own 

Are we lealK the New lest.imenl church we claim [o be? 
II st.1. writes I'aul Mmides. it s time we mo\ed out of the 
warm, but excluiling patterns of an Old iestament clan. 
Sidebar on ceunieiiisni ihiough exangelisin. 

25 Welcoming strangers 

In .1 sDcial climate ol shunning the stranger lor our tiwii 
salets. it is just as urgent as ever for congregations to 
put out the welcome mat. bred Bernhard and Steve 
Clapp prtAide a guide for making visitors to our churches 
leel riuht at home. 



Departments 



0^ perspecti 




1 


From the Editor 


2 


In Touch 


4 


Close to Home 


6 


News 


9 


In Brief 


10 


Special Report 


29 


From the 




General Secretary 


30 


Stepping Stones 


31 


Letters 


33 


Pontius' Puddle 


34 


Partners in Prayer 


35 


Turning Points 


36 


Editorial 




le lid 



ri 

1 




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Coming next month 

Coverage of Annual Confer- 
ence in Cincinnati. Also, August 
1708 in Schwarzenau. 



District ,Vle,sscnger rcprocnlatnc-s .\\\ N E 
Ron Lutz; Atl, S,E,, Ruby Ravmer; 111 /Wis . Krestiin 
Lipscomb; S/C ind , NUinone .Miller; .Mich . Ken 
Good, .Mid-.^il . .\nn Fouis. ,\lo .\rk , Luci Landes 
N, Plains, Faith Strom; \ Ohio. .-^Iice L Driver, 
,S Ohio, Jack Khne; Ore /Wash , Marguerite 
Shamberger, Pac SW, Randy Miller. .M Pa . Eva 
Wampler. S Pa , Elmer Q Gleim. W Pa ,Jj\ 
Chnstner; Shen., Tim Harvey; S Plain.s, .Man' ,^iii 
Dell. Virlina, David & Hcttie Webster; W Plains, 
Dean Hummer; W Marva, W'inonia Spurgeon 

Messenger is the official publication of the 
Church of the Brethren Entered as second-class 
matter .\iig 21), 191K, under ,-\ct of Congress of 
Oct r, 19r Filing date. Nov 1, I9Sh Member 
of the .Associated Church Press Subscriber lo 
Religion News Service & Ecumenical Press SerMce 
Biblical quotations, unless othenvise indicated, 
are from the New Revised Standard Version 
Messenger is owned and published 1 1 times ,i 
year by the General Semces Commission, Church 
of the Brethren General Board Second-class 
postage paid at Elgin, 111 , and at additional 
mailing office, Julv 199b Copynghi 199i), Church 
if the Brethren General Board ISSN U(l2h-l)3Ss 
Postmaster: Send addre.ss changes to Messenger, 
iHsl Dundee .\ve. Elgin. It hOUn 



® 



Printed on rfcvclfd paper 



?/•?:' 



/:-%> 



I struggled many years to "get organized," I not only believed it was 
a goal worth pursuing; 1 believed that eventually the goal would be 
met. Then I would have my books, notes, letters, clippings , . ,and 
a lot of ephemera , , , sorted and filed, against the day v\'hcn I would 
write definitive works on the subjects they represented. 

As the years passed and the goal eluded me. two realizations emerged: 
I was never going to "get organized," and, moreover, I didn't really want 
to, I was a happier person accepting the fact that when 1 periodically start 
going through boxes of clutter, my motivation is not really a desire to be 
organized; I just like to poke through bo.xes and piles and rediscover and 
fondle items 1 have sciuirreled away, ^_,, ,._ 

That same motivation — the fun of poking through 
things — also operates in my hobby of genealogy. People 
urge me to take advantage of such high-tech shortcuts 
as the computerized records the Mormons maintain 
and make available. 1 patiently explain that part of the 
fun is going through musty old books and papers in 
county courthouses, shuffling old deeds and marriage 
records, unfolding and deciphering old letters. 

So. in my work with Mf.ssfnger. 1 am always keen 
for writing such stories as this month's piece on the 
magazine's founder. Henry Kurtz (see page 12). It 
gives me a chance to head to the Brethren Historical 
Library and Archives. There I root through old fold- 
ers filled with all sorts of material, as happy as a pig 
in a mudhole. 

.And the things that come to light. In the folder 
labeled "Kurtz. Henry." I found the original little scrap 
of paper on which Kurtz' granddaughter, Eliza Good, 
drew a sketch of her grandfather's room (see page 
14). Handling the original of that little drawing was 
worth more to me than a whole day spent peering at 
microfilm copies of Kurtz documents. Here repro- 
duced is what the elderly Eliza remembered and sketched in I95Q, Too 
bad we can only provide this copy. If you ever visit the historical library. 
ask to see the original. It will literally put you in touch with history. 



1^ 







7^ 



W 



.ir,--l^ll 



As an old woman, Eliza Good 
sketched her iiieniories (.if Iter 
Gnnidfiiiher Henry Kiuiz' room. 



July I9s;6 K4essenger 1 



rv 



II 011(11 



Bring a torch 

I'ctc C^ou^t■. ;i licensed min- 
ister in New Ci.>\enant 
I'ellowship, Cuiliia. 1-la.. is 
joining loiinei- L'S I'residenl 
liniiny Carter and 10,000 
oilier runnei-s in the I'-t^Ci 
CM\nipie Torch Relay (|une. 
page 21. bringing the 
Olympic [orch 15.000 miles 
in a circuitous riuUe across 
the US from I os Angeles to 
Atlanta. 

Pete will he a torchbearer 
as the torch is run through 
Orlando. Fla.. julv 7-8. F.ach 
runner carries the flame up 
to one k.ilometer belore light- 
ing the next runner's torch. 

If I'ete had had his way, he 
would be sa\in£; his energv 



Bearing the torch. I'ac 

( nuisc in// carry the 

Olympic tarcli throiiiih 

OrUitnlii. I hi. 

for the actual OKinpics. lie 
com]X'ted in OKnipics trials 
in IOQt. hut failed to qualify. 

I'ete is a dri\er lor Unitetl 
Parcel Sei\ice. and was iu)in- 
inated as a runner by his 
UPS supers isor. lie is well 
known as a leader in raising 
funds at Christmastime for 
an C)rlando children's home. 

In addition to his UPS job, 
Pete serves in youth ministry 
at a local United Methodist 
church. 

The Olympic lorch Relay 
goes back as far as the lirst 
known OI\inpic games, held 




in G 


•eece in 77b BC 


The 


relay 


was not a part o\ the 


mod 


.•rn Olympics, howexer 


until 


l'-r,C-i. 





WhaCs that in (ho sky? 

While some Brethren are torchbearcrs 
in the Olympic Torch Relay (see 
accompanying story). Scoll Huffman ol 
Ouinter (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, 
has higher hopes... 10 leet. 7 inches, at 



Olympic hopeful Scon 
Huffman hokls ihc \mcricaii 
rcciird in pale raull. and. with a 
miriulc (ir two. may he wiidlinti 
at ilic Olymjucs in .Atlanta. 



^< 



.nv*-- 



2 Messenger Jiiir 1996 




least. That's his best height as the holdei 
ol the American record in pole vault 
(October lOQO. page 2). 

But "ranking and records don't matter 
when it comes to getting into the 
Olympics." says Scott. "Performance on tl 
first day of the trials determines whether 
one advances to the trial finals two days 
later and can then t|ualil\." 

But Scott has been plagued with injurie; 
for the past year. "It started last summer 
with tendinitis in ni\ groin." says Scott. 
"But what was really frustrating was imllin 
a hamstring just when my groin got okay, 
keeping ine Irom training properly last lall 
and winter." 

Scott organized an iinitational pole \ault 
at the Kansas Relays in .April. But he re- 
strained his hamstring trying to clear IQ 
feet, 8 inches, in early May. however, he g( 
through a meet in Rio de Janeiro. "I prayec 
for healing, and consider it a miracle that 
the hamstring held." 

With a few more miracles at 
a few more meets, Scott may 
be in the .Atlanta Olympics 
alter all. — 1i;i:m- S. 
Ri ^ Ncn.DS 

Ircuc S. Reynolds is a jrcclan 
writer front LAUvreiiee. Kuit 






Mames in the news 

landy Litzinger, a member 
)f Westmont Church of the 
ikethren, lohnstown. Pa., 
eceived the Gold Key and the 
>own American Hotel award 
or a pencil study of the Rio 
4otel in Wildwood, N.|. 
' Lora Coffman. a member 
f English River Church of 
he Brethren. South English, 
owa, has been named Out- 
tanding Graduate Student 
n Psychology, 1995-1996. 
t Central Missouri State 
Jniversity. 

• Physical education 
eacher Gail Fillmore Gar- 
t'ick. a member of Nampa 
Idaho) Church of the 
irethren. is the Idaho recipi- 
nt of the Pathfinder Award 
y the National Association 
or Girls and Women in 
iports. She also received the 
Idaho Distinguished service 
JLward for Volleyball from 
he National Federation of 
nterscholastic Officials 
iissociation. 
' Patrick Myers, an 
irdained minister in Pleasant 
I'iew Church of the Brethren, 
;.ed Eion. Pa., is serving with 
i/orld Evangelism for Christ 
1 Waikato, New Zealand. He 
'as accompanied there by his 
|i'ife, Karen, and their four 
ihildren. 

ij' Rosemary Paxson, a 
'lember of Donnels Creek 
ihurch of the Brethren, 
jilorth Hampton, Ohio, has 
jieen recognized for 45 years 
f service to people with 
lental retardation and devel- 
pmental disabilities by being 
amed to the Earl Keefner 
/all of Honor by TAC Indus- 
ies and the Clark County 
Dhio) Board of Mental 
etardation and Develop- 
>ental Disabilities. 




A new student center t/? Kansas City Kansas Community 
College is named after j. Paul lewell for his work at the sehool. 



J. Paul Jewell Day 

I. Paul lewell looks around 
the new student center at 
Kansas City Kansas Commu- 
nity College (KCKCC) and 
remarks. "I don't think stu- 



dents today can appreciate 
this." M'ars ago. Paul, then 
director of student services 
for the college, persuaded 
the dean to convert an old 
building into a makeshift 
student center. It had 12 



tables and served coffee, 
rolls, and packaged sand- 
wiches. 

The new center, named the 
|. Paul lewell Student Center, 
houses a full-service cafete- 
ria, a game room, TV room, a 
bookstore, and lots of tables 
for students. Dedication day 
was April 9. and Paul was on 
hand to cut the ribbon. 

A member of First Central 
Church of the Brethren in 
Kansas City. Kan.. Paul served 
41 years at KCKCC. Among 
his duties over the decades, he 
taught economics, history, 
and literature and coached 
basketball and football. 

After retiring, he wrote a 
history of the college. It's on 
sale in the |. Paul lewell Stu- 
dent Center's bookstore, ot 
course. 



Qiiieil) (|iiiltiii 



When Alice Bucher jumped in and made 
a single blanket for Cumberland 
County (Pa.) Nursing Home in the 1970s, 
she had no idea of going on to make over a 
thousand quilts, coverlets, and blankets for 
various good causes. 

"She's been at it for 20 years." beams her 
husband. Mark, "and she's worn out three 



Quilter with a cause. Aliee Buelier has made over a 
thousand quilts, eoverlets. and blankets for various eharities 




sewing machines on this project." 

Alice prefers to call her sewing a hobby. "1 
just like to be doing something to keep 
busy, " she puts it. 

Her pastor, Ed Poling, of First Church of the 
Brethren in Carlisle, calls Alice "a quiet person: 
you don't realize what she's doing. She's always 
looking out foi' people in the community." 

In addition to area retirement homes. Alice 
supplies the Salvation Army. Brooklyn (N."^'.) 
Church of the Brethren, and 
Chicago's Bethany Hospital. 
She sent Bethany 1 75 baby 
blankets in 1995 alone. 

Mark's part of the work is 
packing and shipping, and 
helping shop for material. Not 
only is the work done free of 
charge; the Buchers pay for 
most of the fabrics themselves. 

When the sheep and the 
goats are separated, this 
couple need not be an.xious. 



"hi Touch" profile;, fiirr/'irii iir won/// 
/ike yon to meet. Send story ideai iiii/l 
pl.iotos to "In ToncI). " Mes.sf.nger, 
/-/5/ Dundee Ave.. E/gin. IL 60 120. 



}vL\ H)9(i Messenc:er 3 




Ill a piii's eye 



W;; 



A pig's point of view. I inir 

ci/.W iiiciiihcrs of "I'arahlcs. " 

arc I front I Sonui Miller. Becky 

llollciihcr^. ihackl Carol 

(iucss. and Stunvna Dick. 



hal do ihiiigs look like ihiougli a pig's e\c? Palestinian 
pigs ol long ago. al least. Rciiieinber. the lews 
despised pigs and had religious laws against them. 

l.oiele Yagei'. diama direetor at Beacon Heights Cliuieh 
ol the Brethren in kort Wayne. Ind., has ereated a musical. 
"Parables: Pigs' Perspecti\e." retelling some of |esus" para- 
bles with music. seMig. and dance. It premiered late last 

lall. with a cast ol some 
20 Beacon Heights 
juiiien' highs. 

In the parable of the 
Good Samaritan, woh'es 
lall uptni a sheep along 
the lericho Road. Two 
other sheep pass by. But a 
pig, anathema to the 
sheep. pro\es itsell the 
real neighbor by coming 
to the aid ol the injured 
one. 

khe Prodigal Son story 
has sheep and pig neigh- 
bors at odds because ol 
religious laws. Pamela Pig 
scores the sheep lor their 
prejudice: "Their reli- 
gious laws say we are 
disgusting because we 
don't chew cud." 
"When you hate somc- 
e can't change, it's prejudice, and it's 




one lor something 
v\'rong, " says 
Bretliien al Annual Conference could attend a pciiormanc 



'a pa Pig. 



of "P 



ii-aDles. 



staijed at an insight session Wednesda\ 



e\ening . . .open to e\er\one. pigs and sheep alike. 



Let's celebrate 

West Branch Church of the 
Brethren near Mount Morris 
Ilk. will celebrate its sesqui- 
centemiial |ul\ 28. Former 
Illinois and \\ isconsin Dis- 
trict executive Carl Myers 
will be the main speaker. 
• Pleasant Hill (Ohio) 
Church ol the Brethren held 
Siher Celebration Weekend 
June 29-50 to mark its 25th 
anni\ersary. Southern Ohio 
District c\ecuti\e |im Tomlon 
son was among the speakers 



Campus comments 

Elizabelhtown College helc 
its second annual Interna- 
tional Festival in late March 
The theme. "Into the World 
locused on ser\ice opportu- 
nities loi- students and othei 
through agencies such as 
Brethren Volunteer Ser\ice 
and the Peace Corps. 
• Bethany Theological 
Seminary's president. Gene 
Roop led the 101st Spiritua 
Fife Institute at Bridgewate 
College March 19-21. /\lso 
speaking was lormer Annua 
Conference moderator Flair 
Sollenberijcr. 




Just a phone call away 

When was the last time you made 9,500 
phone calls in 1 5 da\s? For Circle of Love 

F'ellowship in Buckhannon. W.Va,. 

it was last February. 
The new fellowship held its "The 

Phone's for You!" campaign to tell 

area peojile about the new Chuich ol 
the Brethren group in tow n, which was orga- 
nized in August 1995, 

Circle of Love is a church planting project 
of West Marva District, Se\eral other con- 
gregations in the district helped with the 
calling campaign, reaching almost 2,700 



people in the liist lour days. 

As a result of the 9,500 dial-ups. QO 
people attended the first "official" service o 
Palm Sunday, held in the fellowship's Famil 
Worship Center. Since then, attendance has 
ranged from 40 to 50 people. According to 
pastor Paul Dietz. nearly half of them are 
high school age or younger. 

The phone blitz behind it. Circle of Fove 
continues it outreach with mailings and mo 
phoning. 

"The beautiful thing is that this phone pro- 
gram can be used by existing congregations 
and can bring similar results," wrote the paste 
in the church newsletter. — Pal i.A Wuding 



4 Messenger ji'i.v 1996 




Dn home turf. Heniy Dorses- 
Davy served as moderator for 
I record 12 times. One of the 
imes was in liis own district. 



The hometown boys 

In the May Mkssknger (page 
9) we pointed out that 1996 
Annual Conference modera- 
tor Fred Bernhard is hosting 
the Big Meeting right in his 
home district of Southern 
Ohio. That is true. But we 
erred when we went on to 
say that the 1995 moderator, 
from Virlina. was on home 
turf also. (Charlotte is in 
Soutlieastern District, we 
blushingly clarified in |une. 
page 1 .) 

The matter did lead us to 
wonder just how many 



Brethren ha\e been Annual 
Conference moderators in 
their home district. Mind 
you, we didn't have districts 
until 1856. 

The best we can figure, 
seven moderators besides 
Fred Bernhard were on home 
turf as they gaveled Annual 
Conference to order: 

Charles C. Ellis (1944). 
in Huntingdon. Pa. 

Woodford W. Peters 
(1943), in McPherson. Kan. 

C. Ernest Davis (1941). 
in La Verne. Calif. 

Isaac W. Taylor (1918), 
in Hershev, Pa. 



Vllclielaiiiielo, move over 

The white walls of our youth room at 
McPherson (Kan.) Church of the 
Brethren were boring; we wanted a change. 
iSrainstorming produced the idea of paint- 
ing a mural. 

We decided to stick to an overall theme, 
lather than have several murals. What could 
:e better than the Church 
if the Brethren tagline 

Continuing the work of 
:lesus. Peacefully. Simply. 
Together"? To that we 
Idded a globe, symboliz- 
ng the world community 

Getting the mural on 
,ne wall was the next 
itep. Natalie Dutrow 
nade transparencies of a 
ilobe and the tagline. We 
leamed those on the wall 
I'ith an overhead projec- 
(br and traced the out- 
ines. Then we painted 

le mural. We left the 

ackground white and 

ainted a border on the 
either walls. McPherson 

ttender Cindy Kinna- 
. lion, an interior designer 

elped us select colors 
[ijnd carpet. 
I When everything was 



finished, we hosted a reception after church 
one Sunday. in\iting everyone to visit our 
youth room and see what we had done. 
E\eryone was impressed. Since then we 
have added another touch: cutouts of 
people and animals mounted on the 
globe. — Kenura Flory 

Kcihlrii riory i.s a iitcinber of lite McPherson 
(Kiln I CInn-ch ol the Brethren voiilh group 



Painting their world. McPherson Church of the Brethren 
youtli. (left to riglitl .\atalie Dutro^v. Emily FUigg. Jen Taylor 
Emily Tyler. Erin Flory. and Kendra Flory decorated their youth 
room with a tnural using the tagline "Continuing the work of 
lesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together " as the theme. 




Enoch Eby (1880). in 
Lanark, III. 

Henry Dorsey Davy 
( 1875). in Covington. Ohio. 

lohn Kline ( 1861 ). in 
Rockingham Co.. Va. 

Henry Dorsey Davy 
(181 1-1895) had another 
distinction (aside from 
having the most lyrical name 
that ever rippled off a Dunker 
tongue), serving as modera- 
tor 12 times (1865-1876), a 
record. .And he went on to 
serve the Old German Baptist 
Brethren as their .Annual 
Meeting moderator seven 
times after the 1881 split. 

lesse 0. Garst, in History 
of the Church of the Brethren 
of the Southern District of 
Ohio (1920). said of Henry 
Dorsey Davy, with archaic 
metaphor, "He was the most 
dignified and efficient chair- 
man that e\er swayed a 
scepter over an Annual Con- 
ference. Being of a pleasant 
countenance, he could order 
a brother to take his seat, or 
inform him he was out of 
order without any danger ot 
offense. He was a natural 
diplomat and peacemaker." 

Despite this good report. 
the Brethren Encyclopedia 
informs us delicately that 
"as a result of allegations 
pertaining to his private 
life." brother Davy was dis- 
fellowshipped and remo\ed 
from office for two months 
in 1877. Moderators thus 
need to take pause when 
swaying the scepter in their 
own district. 



"Close to Home" highlights news of 
eo>!<rres^iit!ons. districts, colleges, homes, 
anel other local and regional life. Send 
story ideas and photos to "Close to 
Home. "Messenger, /-/5/ Dundee 
Ave.. Elgin. IL 601J0. 

K'Lv 1996 Messenger 5 





Land mines such us 

this SDvici-cru Diw 

triglui. which was uncurthcd 

in Af<ihiiiiisltin. yearly kill or 

maim 2b. 000 civilians, such 

as this unidentified victim 

shown aho]-e. 



.\V;r.< ifi'ins iiir mtciidc/i In nifnnii. Tlu-y do not 
iiccohirily represent the opinions «/Mi;ssi;n(;f,r 
or the Gener.il Botirrl. and should not he eonsidered 
to be an endorsement or advertisement. 



Brethren are disappointed by 
weak new land mine policies 

Imagine liaxing the lear that an\ step 
taken outdoors in sards, fields, parks, 
lorests. 01' on beaches eould be \our 
last, or at least lead to permanent dis- 
^^ I'igurement. While that is not 
^1 a concern \o man\. il am. in 
^1 the L'S. millions ol people 
^H worldwide do ha\e such 
y> lears because ol land mines. 
•And lor good reason. 

.\n estimated I I U million 
land mines have been s>.>\\ n 
throughout the world. .Ac- 
cording to the International 
Campaign \o Ban Land 
Mines, land mines kill or 
maim 26.000 people each 
year and are a daily threat 
to the people of'.AIghani- 
Stan. Angola. Bosnia. 
Cambodia. Croatia. Iraq. 
Mozambique. Nicaragua. 
Somalia, and many other 
countries. In Cambodia 
alone, an estimated 3 5.000 
people are amputees 

because ol land mines. 
0\er the past tew 
\ears \oices 
^ \\ orld- \\ ide. 

including 
Church of the 
Brethren \oices. 
ha\'e called for the 
immediate elim- 
ination of land mines. 
In May. two significant e\ents re- 
garding land mines failed to result in 
a worldwide ban. Howe\er. the 
e\ents could lead to a reduction in 
the production and use of land mines. 

It was announced on May 5 that a 
compromise was reached in Geneva 
among the 55 nations participating in 
the revision of the Protocol on Land 
Mines of the 1980 Convention on 
Coinentional Weapons. That agree- 
ment calls for the elimination of non- 
detectable mines and w ill limit the life- 
span of mines that are not in properly 
marked, fenced off. and guarded mine 




fields. These mines must self-destrue 
within 50 days or self-deactivate 
within 1 20 days. Nations also have 
nine years to switch to detectable, sel 
destructing "smart" mines. 
.According to L")a\id Radcliff. direc- 



tor ol Denominationi 



jace Witnes! 



this agreement is a weak compromisi 

" 1 his is luit simply a military or 
jiolitical issue." said Radcliff. "It is a 
human issue, as land mines are anion 
the most inhumane implements of 
war. 1 heir maiming effect on soldiers 
is bad enough, but when they inflict 
their iiiiiuius injuries on ci\ilians for 
\ears afterward, the> go far be_\ond 
the bounds ol ci\ilized conduct. 

"In refusing to deal immediatel\ an 
drastically with this threat to people 
around the world, the international 
community has gi\en in to the inter- 
ests of nations and arms suppliers 
whose decisions are dri\en much 
more by economics than b\ moralitv. 

The second e\ent was President 
Clinton's Max lb land mine policy 
announcement, which calls for an 
international ban. Until such an 
accord is reached. howe\er. the US 
will continue using land mines — all 
land mines until 1 QQQ and only 
"smart" mines thereafter. 

Clinton also pledged that all US 
mines sovxii will be removed by 199^ 
except for those used for training 
and those in the zone between Nortf 
and South Korea. 

In deciding against an immediate, 
total ban. Clinton ignored man\ j^eopl 
who were calling for such a ban. 
including many ofllcials of the State 
Department's Agency for internatioiic 
13evelopment and I 5 high-ranking 
retired military officers, including Get 
Norman Schwarztkopf. who asked 
Clinton to ban these weapons. 

"Mr. Clinton's pronouncement 
regarding the use of land mines is a 
disappointment to the Church of the 
Brethren." said Donald Miller, generi 
seeretars'. "It was hoped that the pres 
dent would take a stronger leadership 
role on this humanitarian issue." 

Ne\IN Dui.AB.AUM 



6 Messenger Ji'ev 1996 



Nearly 600 youth and young adults registered 
to attend workcamps throughout the summer 

The 1996 season of denominational youth and young adult 
workcamps began in May, with an all-time high number of 
registrants signing up for a record number of workcamps. 

A total of 582 participants will be involved in 21 work- 
camps offered throughout the summer. The workcamps 
are sponsored by the Church of the Brethren's Youth and 
Young Adult Ministry. 

Workcamps began May 21 in Honduras and will con- 
clude August 17 in Perryville. Ark., and Manchester. Ky. 
Workcamps will be held throughout the US, Mexico, and 
the Caribbean. 

According to Kelly Burk, workcamp co-coordinator, 
the popularity of some of the workcamps is at an all-time 
high. Despite offering 14 senior-high workcamps, the 
most ever offered, 50 senior-high students were turned 
away. Six junior-high workcamps also have been filled. 
Young adults was the only category with light registra- 
tion. So light, in fact, that both of the two scheduled 
young adult workcamps had to be canceled. 

Sarah Stafford of Oakland. Ohio, receives some of the 
materials she and the other Brethren workcampers to Rio 
Colorado. Honduras, used in May to construct a church. 




^oung adults challenged to 
nake small donations grow 

iV new program inspired by the Parable 
l)f the Talents has been implemented 
)y On Earth Peace Assembly. 

Thirty-five young adults who have 
ittended peace academies or who 
have been members of Youth Peace 
'fravel teams or journey of Young 
\dults teams were sent $10 or $20 
()ills by OEPA board members. 
' The recipients were challenged to 
'ncrease the funds at least tenfold, 
ind to return the raised money by 
Christmas. To reach that goal. OEPA 
[Uggested soliciting donations and 
iiolding car washes, bake sales, 
neace-a-thons, and work projects. 
! "On Earth Peace Assembly has 
ilways viewed itself as a grassroots 
!)rganization, an organization run by 
i.nd for the people we work to 
|erve," said Tom Hurst, director. "I 
velcome this challenge by members 



of our board to directly involve a 
number of young adults who have 
taken part in programs we support 
and run in making this parable come 
alive again for people in 1996." 



Updated Brethren and NCC 
yearbooks now available 

The 1 996 editions oi' the Church of 
the Brethren and National Council of 
Churches yearbooks nou' are available. 

The Brethren yearbook lists names 
and addresses of congregations, pas- 
tors, moderators, and ordained and 
licensed ministers. Also listed is 
information on General Board mem- 
bers and staff, districts, camps, 
colleges, and homes. 

The NCC's yearbook includes 
trends and developments: a directory 
ot national cooperative organiza- 
tions, religious bodies, regional and 



local ecumenical agencies, theologi- 
cal seminaries, Bible schools, and 
religious periodicals in the US and 
Canada; a calendar of religious 
observances of various faiths: and 
statistical iniormation. 

Call (800) 525-8059 to order the 
Church of the Brethren yearbook; cal 
(800) 672- i 789 to order the NCC's. 



New books offered to explain 
sensitive issues to children 

On Earth Peace Assembly announced 
in May that its Peace Place now car- 
ries a line of children's books that 
deal with sensitive issues. 

More than 50 books are in the col- 
lection, with tojiics including 
disabilities, pi'cgnancy, single-parent 
homes, alcoholism. AIDS, adoption, 
divorce, domestic \iolence. and death. 

To order, call (410) 655-8708. 



JuLV 1996 Messenger 7 



\w 



Congregational giving is up 
7.3 percent from 1995 

According to ligurcs rclciiscd in Ma\ 
by the General Board's Stewardship 
office, congregational gi\ iiig to the 
General Board inci-eased by 7.3 per- 
cent during the first four months ol 
this \ear. conipai-ed lo the same 
time-span in 1 ^595. 

.A 2.5 percent increase was pro- 
jected for l^Qb. said Dale Miiniich. 
e\eculi\e of the General Board's 
General Ser\ices Commission, which 
includes the Ste\\ardshi|i ollice. 

Minnich credits the greater-than- 
expected increase to "a greater 
awareness ol the acute need ol the 
General Board" in light of the 
Board's current redesign process. 

'■The\ see that the need is great 
and changes are coming, and they 
are trying to do what they can to 
help." Minnich said. 

.Although it is encouraging to see 
increases in congregational giving, 
the General Board's biggest source 
ot income, it is "'too earlv to see a 



clear trend." said Judy l\e\ser. Gen- 
eral Board treasurer. 

I illeen districts raised their giving 
during this year's lirst lour nieinlhs. 
with Oregon and Washington Dis- 
trict leading the wa\ at 47. Q peicent. 

"The district was struggling so 
congregations may have given 
more." said Ken Neher. who serves 
as the district's executive as well as a 
General Board planned giving offi- 
cer. "We have I 7 churches in the 
district and many of the congrega- 
tions arc (financially) strong again." 

Other large increases are from 
Southern Ohio (2b. 2 percent). 
Northern Plains (25.6). Western 
Pennsylvania (25.2), Pacific South- 
west (24.7). Northern Ohio (24. b), 
and Southern Pennsylvania (24.4). 

Keyser added that bec|uest income 
also is up. with over half of the 
8700,000 budgeted as income 
already received. 

According to budget reports, con- 
gregational giving declined in 1 9Q4 
and lemained fairly Hat in I9Q5. 
— I'm la Wn dinc. 




'A a ^-., : 

The first-ever Volunteer Summer Service workers p,aihercd in late 
May in Elgin. III., lor a ircc/i of training with coordinator liidy A////.\ 
Reinicr The ]'ohiiitecr> then fanned out throughout the denomination to 
serve for 10 weeks at variotis Brethren churches. \ SS is a first year pilot 
project, sponsored by Brethren Xoliinteer Service and Yotith and \bung 
Adult Ministries, hirst row: B.j. Bucher. Drew Hutchiitsiin. and Matt Mes- 
sick. Second row: Ginger Gates. .Alison I'lory. Becki Dilley. and Brandy hi.x. 



McElwee testifies before 
Congress on selective service 

Tim Mcldwee. director of the Church 
of the Brethren Washington Office, 
testified before Congress on behalf of 
the Church of the Brethren on May 
I 5 regarding Selective Service. 

McElwee s|ioke regarding fiscal 
year 1997 appropriations for the 
Selective Service System before the 
House .Appropriations Subcoimiiittet 
that oversees Veterans Affairs, f^ous■ 
ing and Urban Development, and 
independent agencies. He asked that 
mandatory registration lor the draft 
be eliminated by closing the Selectivt 
Service System. 

McElwee noted that the Brethren 
historical belief in peace conllicts 
with registering for military service. 
He encouraged the subcommittee to 
allow Brethren and others who do 
not believe in war to be accepted as 
conscientious objectors and allowed 
to serve in alternative service. 

"1 urge you to seriously consider 
bringing to an end the draft registra- 
tion process, and by so doing, build 
upon our nation's heritage of religious 
liberty and I'clease several million dol- 
lars that could provide practical and 
effecti\'e means of exploring the pur- 
suit of peace through peaceful 
means," McElwee concluded. 



McPherson College names 
interim president and VP 

McPherson (Kan.) College 
announced in May that Steven 
Gustafson has been appointed to 
serve as interim president. 

Gustafson, who normally serves as 
vice president of Academic Services, 
will serve as interim president until a 
permanent successor to President 
i'aul Hoffman is appointed. 

Serving as interim vice president ol 
Academic Services is Susan Krehbiel 
Taylor, an associate professor of 
journalism. 



8 Messenger July 1996 



Ill M 



Don't tell the IRS who your church supports for president or 

any elected office, or your congregation may lose its tax exempt 
status for publicly supporting or opposing a candidate. The National 
Council of Churches' Washington Office advises that churches can 
avoid losing their tax-exempt status by not endorsing candidates in 
sermons, newsletters, or sample ballots. Churches also should re- 
train from providing financial support; distributing or displaying liter- 
iature; or organizing, establishing, or supporting a political action 
:ommittee. 

I Although individuals may be involved in political campaigns in 
liny of these ways, church members should make it clear that 
:he church itself is not involved. For more information, contact 
,:he NCC Washington Office, (202) 544-2350. 

The Sixth Annual International Festival, hosted by SERRV 
nternational, was held at the Brethren Service Center, New 
Windsor, Md., on May 1 1 . Over 50 ethnic craft and food booths 
jwere made available to attendees, as was entertainment by peo- 
ple from West Africa, Haiti, and the Philippines. 

3ver 21,000 cans of meat and nearly 6,000 cans of broth were 
|Tiade from 61 ,800 pounds of beef for Church of the Brethren dis- 
ister relief in March and April. Over 450 volunteers from Southern 
Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic districts assisted in this annual pro- 
ject, which was held March 25-27 and April 1-3 at the Meadow 
irook Turkey Farm, York, Pa. 

This year's Shenandoah District Auction raised over 
1)1 1 5,000, according to associate district executive Larry Glick. 
;'he disaster response auction was held May 17-18 at the Rock- 
ngham County Fairgrounds, Over 1 ,000 people attend the auction 
)n Friday evening for the oyster dinner and livestock auction, which 
)rought in over $32,000. Another 1 ,000 were on hand Saturday for 
he auctioning of quilts, wall hangings, crafts, and food. 

The Mid-Atlantic District annual auction raised $36,000 for 

he denomination's disaster relief program on May 4. Roy Johnson, 
t:hairman of the auction committee, estimated 1,000 people at- 
'ended the auction, held in Westminster, Md. Several churches in 
'he district donated quilts and comforters that brought in $1 2,000. 
' The district has held the auction for 16 years and has raised 
;495,000 for disaster relief. 

Nominees for the board and nominating committee of the 

association of Brethren Caregivers were announced in May and 
i/ill be voted on at ABC's annual meeting in June. Nominees are 
|iob Cain Jr, Greenville, Ohio, as chair-elect; Scott Douglas, El- 
I in. III.; Phil Flory, Bridgewater, Va.; Margaret Fultz, Lemoyne, 
'a.; Janice Kensinger, Elizabethtown, Pa.; Heidi Loomis, State 
|;ollege, Pa.; Steve Mason, McPherson, Kan.; Marilyn Scott, 
haperville. III.; and Martha Waas, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Avanelle Woody and John Filer have been nominated to serve 
ut the 1996-1998 nominating committee terms for Warren Esh- 
ach and Mary Ann Harvey-Melleby. 




Up to 1,500 people are expected to attend the National 
Older Adult Conference. September 2-6. at Lake luiialiiska. 
N.C. As of late May. 775 people ii'fre registered. The previous 
NOAC. also held at Lake lunuluska. was in September 1994. 

The Church of the Brethren and the National Council of 
Churches have responded through actions and words to the burn- 
ing of over 50 African-American churches in the southeastern US 
over the past five years— 1 alone in the early months of 1 996. 

In May, a $2,000 grant was allocated from the Church of the 
Brethren's Emergency Disaster Fund in response to the fire- 
bombings and related vandalism. 

In April and May, the NCC sent a delegation to affected sites in 
Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi as a part of the 
NCC's efforts to help catch the culprits, raise the public's aware- 
ness of these crimes, and demonstrate solidarity with congrega- 
tions that have been victimized, said Mac Charles Jones, NCC 
associate for racial justice, who led the delegation. 

The NCC also held rallies in New York City, Elmhurst, N.Y, and 
Washington, D.C. 

The NCC has set up a Burnt Churches Fund to help rebuild the 
churches and end racist violence. Donations may be sent to 
Joan Brown Campbell, 475 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 1 01 1 5. 

The fifth biannual "Church's One Foundation" spring rally 
was held on April 27 in Pacific Southwest District and attended 
by 50 Brethren from seven area congregations. As stated in a re- 
lease, the rally focused on Jesus Christ as "the Son of God, Sav- 
ior of the world, and the Head of the church, according to the 
Scriptures," and as the "only divine Lord and Savior." 
The next rally is scheduled for November 16. 

Bethany Theological Seminary will host "Make a Joyful 
Noise" August 2-4, at its Richmond, Ind., campus. This follow- 
up to last summer's "Sing Through the Hymnal" conference is 
designed for district music trainers and people interested in lead- 
ing music in worship services. 

For information or registration, contact Nancy Faus, Bethany 
Seminary, (317)983-1813. 



July 1996 Messenger 9 




Standing up for children 



By Amanda Vender 

Nearly 50 members 1.1I the 
Church ot the Brethren troni 
as far away as Iowa gathered 
ill Washington. 13. C. the morning of 
lune 1 in support ot children at the 
Stand lor Children ralK . held at the 
Lincoln Memorial. Ideal weather made 
tor a pleasant breaklasi on the lawn of 
the L'nited Methodist Building, home 
of the Church of the Brethren W'ashing- 
ttin Office, and located across the street 



from the Capitol and Supreme Court. 

"We come today seeking the \ision. 
understanding, and commitment to 
'welcome' our world's children as you. 
God. would ha\e us." Brethren said 
during the morning prayer ser\ice. 

The group walked 1 7 blocks from 
the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial 
behind a bright yellow Church of the 
Brethren banner to join about 
200.000 people on behalf of children. 
The event was criticized by some 
groups who claimed that participants 



were using children to ad\ocate loi- 
"big government." Marian Wright 
Edelman. president i.i| the Children's 
Defense Fund (the rally's principal 
organizer) countered. "We do not 
stand here ad\ocating big govern- 
ment, we stand here advocating iust 
government." 

Dcmonstratcirs young and old of \ar 
ious religions, ethnicities, and back- 
grounds came tor diverse reasons, but 
the underlying motivation was the 
sense that our countrv is not doing 



Now is the time to nurture our children 



The words of Marian Wright 
Edelman's favorite spiritual ran 
through my head many times during 
the weekend I traveled to Washington 
for the Stand for Children rally. 

"Cniide Illy feet 

wliilc I run litis race . . .." 

We sang the song as a family during 
the day before my six-year-old 
daughter, Katie, and 1 left. We sang it 
at our local rally and bus send-off in 
Fort Wayne. Ind.. the night before the 
national event. 1 heard it echo in my 
mind as Katie and I tried to sleep on 
the 1 1 -hour overnight bus trip. And 



finally, we heard it at the foot of the 
Lincoln Memorial, sung by a glorious 
tenor at the event. 

Why did I leave half of my family 
behind and put my daughter through 
such an intense experience? 

I did it because. like thousands of 
people who attended Stand for 
Children or who were with us in 
spirit. 1 felt it was time for a shift in 
priorities for this nation. It was time 
for us all to realize that children are 
to be treasured and nurtured instead 
of pushed to the margins. 

I went because 1 knew Edelman 
organized the event to offer people a 



chance to commit themselves to bet- 
tering the lives of children. I wanted tc 
be a part of an event that shouted to 
the world that children are precious. I 
wanted my daughter to know that 
there are people who are committed 
to children. I wasn't disappointed. 

A spirit of community permeated th 
weekend. We rode the bus with nine 
members of Manchester Church of 
the Brethren, North Manchester, Ind. 
our home church, loining us were 1 1 
members of Beacon Heights Church 
of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, and 2'i 
other people who actively work with 
children or are concerned with issues ■ 



10 .\Iessen(,kr Jri.v 1996 




enough for its children. A country that 
ranks first among industriaHzcd na- 
tions in the number of milHonaires, 
first in defense expenditures, and first 
in Gross Domestic Product, should not 
also ranl\ 1 7th in child poverty. 

The rally was refreshing in that it 
truly focused on children. Big- 
iname celebrities took a back seat to kids 
|and community leaders who advocate 
jn behalf of children, and no politicians 
,!>vere in\'ited to speak. These were the 
leaders who spoke to the crowd about 
he realities of children's lives today. 
.An interfaith service brought to the 
participants religious texts that focus 
pn children. Kim McDowell, pastor of 
University Park Church of the Breth- 
•en. Hyattsville, Md.. processed to the 
;Stand for Children stage with an ecu- 
nenical group of clergy including in- 
ernational church leaders. They re- 
nained there for the entire program. 



hat affect children. 

Katie and her friend Daniel Brown, 
ilso age 6, were the youngest members 
)f the group. Throughout the weekend, 
hey were welcomed wherever they 
vent, from the bus trip — where our 
allow riders smiled at them as they 
rolicked and got a little rowdy — to the 
l^hurch of the Brethren breakfast and 
irayer service at the Washington Office 
— where people went out of their way 
talk to the two littlest children. The 
!»lethodists. from whom the Washing- 
] on Office rents space, gave them small 
okens to remember the day. During 
he two-hour main event, different 



each accompanied by a child. 

McDowell said that talking to the 
other clergy on the stage about chil- 
dren was "hopeful and empowering," 
she found them "impassioned by what 
they're doing for kids." So was look- 
ing into the crowd, which was "di- 
verse and cut across what normally 
are divisive lines." 

The group of Brethren watched the 
program from a shady area beside the 
reflecting pool. Large-screen televi- 
sions that were placed the length of 
the retlecting pool made it easy to see 
what was happening on stage. Mem- 
bers of the group occasionally visited 
the organizational display tents, 
where various groups distributed fly- 
ers and talked with the crowd. 

There were also activities for chil- 
dren in addition to dipping toes in the 
rellecting pool and splashing water to 
cool off. Some people were content to 
stretch out under a tree for a nap. try- 



people from the northeast Indiana con- 
tingent helped entertain them. 

The event itself was set up in an 
organized way, making it easy for 
families to attend. It was kid- 
friendly, right down to the Stand for 
Children personnel offering squirts 
of sunscreen for all who needed it. 

Throughout the day we experienc- 
ed the necessary components for 
supporting children: a respect for 
children and their needs, and a 
strong sense of community to back 
them up. Wc stood together with a 
common purpose. I am grateful that 
my daughter could be part of a day 



For some Brethren, ihc walk to the 
Staiul for Children rally began with a 
group pieiure beside the Capitol 
(left). Annie and Katie Clark, and 
Erin Gratz of Manehester Chureh of 
the Brethren were three of the ^valkers 
making the 1 7-bloek trek to the rallv 
(below). Reaehing the rally, the 
Brethren delegation partieipated in 
the two-hour event (opposite page). 




ing to compensate for their long 
overnight bus ride. 

The day was both inspiring and en- 
ergizing. Participants came away with 
even greater motivation to advocate 
on behalf of children with a clearer 
understanding that we can't at 
ford to do otherwise. 



W 



AiiHimla \ciiji'i- IS a Brclhreii \(.iliiiilCL'r Scr- 
\icl' n-orker iisiigiicd lo ihc Washingloii Office. 



devoted to her and to all children. 

As I rode the bus back to Indiana 
and mused over the memory of Katie 
splashing her feet in the reflecting 
pool before the Lincoln Memorial 
while feeling totally secure in a crowd 
of 200.000, 1 knew that Edelman was 
on the right track. Her goal of inspir- 
ing us to go home and strengthen 
community support of children and 
families is the answer. We need to be 
moved to action and pray for guid- 
ance to do right b\' children "while 
we run this race." — Annie Ci-.ark 

.■\iiiUL' Clarl; is a member uf Mancliestcr 
Cluiicli of tlie Brethren. Sorili .Maiicljester. Iiul. 



July 1996 Mhssenc;er 11 



Our little 
German brother 

Hciirx Kiirt:^\vasii't just startiiig a tiiaoa^incjor the Brethren 

when he founded The Monrhl\- Gospel-X'isitcr /'// i8jl; 
he was becotuing the key architect of the renewal oj the church. 



BY Kermon Ihomasson 

Years after Henry Kurtz" death, 
one l^iclhrcn IcaJci'. in remi- 
niscing about Kuriz' loiinding 
of our donoiiiinatinal magazine, 
fondly referred to him as "our little 
tiei'man brother." But what did he 
mean b\ "little"'.' 

Menry Kurtz wa.s ngidiit in Brethren 
history, so pi\otal a ligure that it is jar- 
ring to look back and realize how- 
coincidental it was that he figured in 
Brethren histor\ at all. He \irtuall\ 
stumbled into the Brethren world by hit- 
ting on hard times that lorced a mo\e 
from western lVnns\l\ania to northern 
Ohio. In his new location he met the 
Brethren, and the direction for the rest 
of his life was set. 

Kurtz was born 200 years ago — 
luly 22. IT'-lb — in German\ and 
emigrated to the L nited States in 
181 7. .A Lutheran, he first worked as a 
schoolteacher and pastor in eastern 
l'enns\ Uania. .Alter a successlul pas- 
torate there. Kurtz was called in 1823 
to pastor one of the largest churches 
in Pittsburgh, lie met with initial suc- 
cess there, as well, but c\entuall\ ran 
into trouble with his congregation. 

Kurtz attempted to bring more dis- 
cipline to the Pittsburgh Lmherans. 




No known portraits of Henry Kurtz 
were iloiw ill liis lifctinic. 77;o l'-)76 
drawing was based on deseripiioiis 
pnnided by a Kiiri: granddaughter, 
witli the artist using a photograph of a 
\ irginia elder. Benjamin Miller 
f /.S'24-/V/ 5), as a model. 



but they balked at the tightened reins. 
.Matters came to a head w hen Kurtz 
pushed too hard lor the congregation 
to reorganize as a Christian commu- 
nity, lie had come under the intluence 
ol Robert Owen, the Scottish reformer 
who headed the New }ku-mony 
colony in Indiana. This was an exper- 
iment in communal lising that 
collapsed after a time. 

Kurtz' leanings toward Christian 
communal li\ing are indicati\e ot his 
affinit\ for the Brethren ideal of recre- 
ating the New Testament church as 
nearly as possible. His problem with 
Owen was that reformer's too liberal 
\iews on religion and marriage. So 
Kurtz decided to luund a Christian 
community himself, which he called 
Concordia. He began working in 
earnest to make Concordia a reality. 
That zealous work atop the problems 
he alread\ was Inning with his Pitts- 
burgh church was too much. Not only 
was he drummed out of his pastorate, 
but Concordia collapsed before it got 
beyond the recruitment and fundrais- 
ing stage. Kurtz gave up and turned 
over the project's assets to a similar 
colony, named Teutonia. 

By that time, Kurtz and his family 
had mo\ed to Ohio, to be near the 
anticipated site of Concordia. In 






\o\. 



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rfiifr 



12 .\1f.ssenc;er Jl'lv 1996 





Brctlircn'i 



] (L'hii'itian Jfamilij ((oiupanion. |. 






mcJE CTT, r*- TTSDlT .' 



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Stark County, the Kurtzes were so 
poverty-strieken for a time that they 
jrehed on the eharity of neighbors even 
ito have food on the table. This phght. 
;oupled with the fizzhng out of the 
Concordia project, was the low point 
of Kurtz' life. 

And it was at that point that, provi- 
Ijentially, he met the Brethren. The 
significant Brethren he met was Elder 
i3eorge Hoke. Kurtz discovered in the 
iBrethren just what he had been vainly 
keeking in Lutheranism and the com- 
Tiunal movement: a simple, disciplined 
[ife based on the New Testament and 
j:he early church. Hoke baptized Kurtz 
in 1828. and the new conxert's life 
look the turn from which it never devi- 
jited thereafter, 

I Kurtz was well educated in a time 
ivhen education was not a priority for 
iBrethren. He also was aggressive. 
A'ithin two years he was called to the 
ninistry. Eleven years later he was 
)laced in charge of the Mill Creek con- 
'^[regation in Mahoning County. His 
oilingualism and education led to his 
I ;erving as Annual Meeting clerk year 
ifter year. He was a printer on the side, 
ind published German- English hym- 
Ijials that met a great need for Brethren. 
I Kurtz more and more felt that his 
i ailing was in printing and publishing. 



After 1857 he printed the Annual 
Meeting minutes. During the same 
years he attempted two German - 
language periodicals, both of which 
died for lack ot patronage. 

He finally found the right for- 
mula with his English-language 
Gospcl-X'isiter. the first issue of which 
was printed in April 1851. The 
Brethren were leery of his project at 
first, and gave it only cautious, 
Gamaliel-like affirmation. This cau- 
tion lasted only two or three years. 
After that the publication took off and 
became a respected comniunicalion 
vehicle across the brotherhood. 

Before long, other publications 
popped up. Complementing the trend. 
Brethren became accepting of higher 
education, and the era of college and 
academy founding began. Kurtz himself 
began one of the academies. He also 
promoted Sunday schools and missions. 

Characteristic of Kurtz, his aggres- 
siveness and his initiatives caused 
tension. Fortunately, he seemed to have 
learned from his earlier setbacks and 
practiced patience and friendly persua- 
sion with the Brethren. Still the tensions 
of the new ideas eventually led to the 
1880s divisions among the Brethren. 
Kurtz would have grieved, but by then 



he was dead, spared from the finies 
born of his newfangled ideas. 

The two groups that split off from 
the main body of Brethren — The 
Brethren Church and the Old 
German Baptist Brethren — founded 
their own publications. Kurtz' 
Gospel-\'lsiter. after undergoing some 
name changes and mergers, became, 
in 1885, The Gospel Mef^senger, and 
continues today as Messenger. 145 
years alter Kurtz printed his first issue 
ot The GospelA i:<iter in his spring 
house near Poland, Ohio. 

Kurtz the man comes down to us 
today through the printed page — 
mainly Tlie GospelA isiter and his 
Brethren Encyclopeilia (a collection of 
Annual Meeting minutes published in 
1867). Reminiscences by those who 
knew him also help to tlesh him out. 

Henry Holsinger, an apprentice in the 
Kurtz print shop who went on to Found 
The Brethren Church, recalled with 
amusement how Kurtz could never 
ONcrcome his tobacco addiction. From 
time to time, he would have his wife hide 
his pipe, only to later admit defeat and 
sutler humiliation, begging to know its 
whereabouts, Holsinger also told about 
Kurtz' love of music. He kept a pipe 
organ in his home, but in deference to 
Brethren bias against instrumental 









THE 






OUK- 






'bill's u^^'"--^ 



"7 «'■""* 
\ 



ll TllK (iOSPEL MESSE^IiKH. 



'V3T0R 

messenger 







Our magazine's lineage. Today's 
Messi:nc.i;r traces its bei^iiuiiiig to Henry 
Kartz' Gospel -Visiter, first pubUshed in 
1S51. The Gospel -"Visiter merged with 
other magazines, went tlnvugli name 
cluniges. and in 1 88^ heciune The 

Gospel Messenger. 
//; 1^)65 tlie magazine 
officially took the 
name Messenger, as 
it had been called 
[amilitirly for the past 
S2 years. 

Ii'iv u)')6 Mkssknc.fr 13 



<» 
<» 



Henry Kurtz 

Renewal architect 

Two influential Brethren leaders ot the i'^lh contuts were born in 
I 70(.v Hcnr\ Kurt/ and I'cicr Ncad. Ik)th had backgrounds in Gernian 
Luthcranisni. Botli came to the Brethren in mature years. Both iound 
axenues tor tlieir church \\ori< tiirough pubheation. Roth liad great impact 
upon the future of their chosen church family. 

But here their paths parted. The thrust ci\ Nead"s influence was the preser- 
\ation wiihoui change of Dunker practice and behef. The title ot the 
periodical he helped establish presents his platform: The \'indicator of the 
Ancient Onler. and Self- Denying Principles of the Church, as Taught by the 
Savior and Held Forth by the Fathers of our Frater)iiiy. Begun in 1870, The 
\'indicaior is still published in I9Q6 as the official organ of the Old German 
Baptist Brethren. 

The policy of Henry Kurtz was different. While just as convinced as Nead 
that the Brethren held more closely to New Testament order than other church 
bodies, he contended in the first issue of Tlie Gospel-Visiter (1851) that, indi- 
\idually. Brethren "are all learners, and are progressing with more or less 
speed in the knowledge of truth." He opened the pages of the periodical to 
essays on gospel truth, presented for correction or commendation. Those 
Brethren with questions or doctrinal points could pose them in print, confi- 
dently expecting that some member of the church would have the answer. 
Thus. Kurtz designed. Brethren could preser\e units' as they streamed across 
the .'\merican continent, settling the frontier and founding new congregations. 

Gi\en the meager organization of the Brethren in the mid- 1800s. without 
church boards and staff workers, periodical editors became de facto bishops, 
ser\ing as gatekeepers for information and doctrinal statements. As they tra\- 
eled and reported, they became well-known and leading figures in the church. 

Kurtz, along with his associate lames Quinter. introduced in tactful but per- 
sistent manner inno\ations that increasingly shaped the 
course of the mainline Brethren. These innovations 
included Sunday schools, protracted meetings 
(revivals), academies of higher learning, and domestic 
and foreign missions. Unlike some of their publishing 
contemporaries. Kurtz and Quinter had a good sense of 
how rapidly the church could be moved along these 
advanced lines. They exhibited patience, goodwill, and 
respect for those who differed. 

It was Kurtz who first collected and published the 
past minutes of .■Xnnual .Meeting, so that greater con- 
sistency in decision-making could be achie\ed. It was 
he who collected and published documents of 
Brethren history to create a better sense of Brethren identity. 

And so it was Henry Kurtz, rather than the prolific author Peter Nead. 
who became the key architect of the renewal of the church and the predomi- 
nant shaper of mainline Brethren development. — Dtiwi n F. Dlrnbmgh 

Donald F. Dunihaugli uf lames Creek. Pa., is the foremost Brethren liistoriaii. nith a career 
thai has iiielinled professorships at luniata College. Elizabethtown College, and Bethany The- 
ological Seminary. His first major historical work was European Origins of the Brelhren 
I Brethren Press. l9iSI. followed by The Brethren in Colonial America 1 1967). He has just 
completed the first tridy comprehensive history of the Brethren. Fruit of the Vino: A History of 
the Brethren, \ 708-1995 I Brelhren Press. 1996). 




Donald I. Durnbaugh 



music and rules against instruments in 
the meetinghouse, he plavcd his pipe 
organ only privately. His young 
apprentice once found him playing the 
organ and listened outside the door, 
"much delighted by the strains." When 
he paid compliments. Kurtz "explained 
that he had been tired ot reading and 
writing, and had sought recreation and 
solace in the music." 

T:ie UKist appealing recollection of 
Henry Kurtz comes Irom his 
granddaughter F.liza Good. In 1959 
this elderly resident (.if ^oungstown, 
Ohio, w rote about her grandfather on 
the request of Gospel Messenger 
assistant editor Harry Brandt, who 
was gathering material tor his book 
Meet Henry Kurtz. 

"He was a small man with a 
huTiip on his hack, and he always 
used a cane when he walked, and 
took short, quick steps. He had 
rather long white hair, but the top 
of his head was bald, and in cold 
weather he always wore a little silk 
cap to cover that bald spot. He 
had long, white whiskers. 

"His home was in Columbiana. 
Ohio, when I was staying with 
them. There was no Church ot the 
Brethren near. He went with me to 
the Clrace church a time or two 
until 1 got acquainted. It was quite 
a walk for him. but I was \ery much 
pleased to walk b\ his side to 
Sunday school. 

"We used to get books to read 
which were \er\ interesting. 1 
remember the first one I brought 
home. Alter 1 was through reading 
it. he said he wanted to read it. He 
wanted me to w rite w hat I read 
about, in m\ own words. I did the 
best I could, tor 1 would try to do 
whatever he asked me to, for I 
loved him. and 1 know now it was a 
good thing for me to do. 

"I remember very well how his 
room looked. We entered it from a 
hall, in which were shelves of books. 
His room was about 20 x 20, I 
think, and there was an old-fash- ' 

ioned heating stove and his rocker to 



1 4 .Messenger Iii.v 1996 







the left. Also on the left was a stand 
with a lamp on it. in the eorner baek 
of him was the old pipe organ from 
Germany, and along the wall was a 
long table used as a writing desk. 
There was a dresser to the right of 
the stove. He always had a buffalo 
robe thrown over his ehair. 

"Sometimes he played the organ 
and taught me little songs on 
Sunday afternoons after Sunday 
school. He gave me many good sug- 
gestions and rules, some of which I 
have followed all my life. 

"He was very particular about 
himself, neat and clean, and he 
expected those in his home to be 
the same. He was a great man for 
order. He had a place for every- 
thing; if you did any dusting or 
cleaning you had to he pretty care- 
ful to replace everything just as it 
was or you would hear from him. 

"His room was used for worship 
every night. He would read from the 
Bible, sometimes in German; then 
we would kneel in prayer, closing 
with the Lord's Praver." 






5^ j^^- /«-^i'-^^.y»^,/'-^-j^^ 0«-ji^^^ 





Henry Kurtz' 298-year-old organ, 

now displayed at the Church of the 
Brethren General Offices in Elgin. 
III., is the oldest one still in use in the 
United States. The inscription (abofX') 
found ifiside the orgaji. reveals that it 
ivas built by Johan Christoph Hartt- 
nian in \urttingen. Gernntny. in 
I69S. It is not known whether Kurt: 
brought the organ from Gernntny or 
acquired it after emigrating. .After 
joining the Brethren, he had to keep 
his organ-playiitg pri)\ite. The 
instrument spent many years of this 
century stored in a barn before it )vas 
salvaged in the 1950s. In the 1970s it 
]vas restored, in time for the quasqui- 
centennial o/Mfssenger in 1976. 
That year a concert was played on it 
at Annual Conference. 

Oma Karn. writing in The Gospel 
Messenger. |uly 28. 1917, described 
the conditions under which The 
GospelA'isiter was produced, in the 
spring house on the Kurtz farm in 
the late 1850s: 

"Upstairs in the old spring house 
there was a lack ot conveniences, 
and there were but crude imple- 
ments for work, but the hearts of 
those interested never once faltered 
in the undertaking. Most of the 
foundation of the old spring house is 
still standing. The structure was 
built of logs, and was quite large for 
a building of its kind. It was two sto- 
ries in height. The printing business 
occupied the entire upper story, hi 
the room below this. Miss Harriet 
Stump, later sister |acob Kurtz, 
looked after the dairy and laundry 
work of the home — the sound o\ 



her vigorous 'rub-a-dub-dub" or the 
rhythm of the 'plash, plash' of the 
churn dasher keeping company with 
the high thinking going on in the 
room above. The spring was directly 
beneath the front entrance. Two logs, 
laid close together, formed a walk 
over the spring to the door. 

"Of the working force. Elder 
Henry Kurtz was editor-in-chief; 
brother lames Quinter. associate 
editor; lacob Kurtz, son of Elder 
Kurtz, proofreader; Gustavus 
Shale. H.R. Holsinger. and loseph 
Reel, typesetters. 

"Every Friday morning. Elder 
Kurtz would hitch an old white 
horse to an old-fashioned top -buggy 
and take the mail to Poland. Thence 
it went by stage to Pittsburgh. Pa. A 
bushel sack, made of homespun 
linen, contained the entire output." 

Two hundred years after Henry 
Kurtz' birth, and 145 years after he 
founded our denomination's maga- 
zine. Messenger is produced with 
printing technology that would 
astound those men in the spring house 
loft. Henry Kurtz likely would be 
astounded as well by the place he 
holds in Brethren history. Historian 
Don Durnbaugh. writing in the April 
1976 Messenger, ended a piece on 
the founding editor this way: 

"The German word 'kurtz' means 
"short.' The printer-preacher was 
short in physical stature and had his 
share of human frailty of body and 
personality. We can see now that he 
blazed a trail of reform and change 
which most — not all — of his beloved 
Brethren followed. From this perspec- 
tive it can be seen that in the ranks of 
Brethren leaders of the past cen- 
turv Henrv Kurtz stands tall." 



M. 



The definitive work on Henry Kurtz is "Henry 
Klin:: Mail of the Book. " by Donald F Diirn- 
baiigli (Brethren Life and Thought. \dl. lb. So. 
2. Spring 1971). Durnbaugh also wrote "Stand- 
ing Tall: The Life and Witness of Henry Kitn:" 
(Mf ssim.;f R, .-tpr/7 1976). lames H. Lehman 
treated Kitn: at length in his book The Old 
Brethren {Brethren Press. 1 97b). In addition. 
H .4. Brandt wrote a j'letionalized biography. 
Meet Henrv Kurtz I Brethren Press. 1941). 



July 1996 Messenger 15 



a 




Bringing out the best 



The 1 1 Libit at project in 

Cincinnati was 

designed to demonstrate 

that Brethren are at 

their best when they 

balance social justice 

with evanoelisin. 

That's what fesiis 

taiioht, but sonietiines 

Brethren seem to foi'oet. 




■^f ^*^ 



Bv Nevin Dulabaum 

Each year hundreds ol Aineiican 
lamilics Ironi llic Pacilic to the 
Alkiniic receive what at first 
imist seem hke the greatest gilt. 1 he\ 
are oiil\ hall right. 

These lamilies. man\ of them lunering 
at or well below the po\ert\ line, are 
seleeted io reeei\e a brand-new house, 
eourtesy ol Habitat lor Hunianit\. an 
eeumenieal Christian organization. 
Habitat branehes nationwide find spon- 
sors to donate kinds, sujiplies. and 
workers to eonstruct houses for families 
in need. 

But a house is the seeond of two items 
eaeh lamily reeci\es from Habitat, gifts 
that together do indeed symbolize the 
greatest gifts Christians can give. 

The lirst step in the construction 
process ol a Habitat house is designed 
for the soul, not the body. Before the 
physical work begins, a ground-breaking 
cereinon\ is held, during which each 
recipient family is presented w ith a new 
Bible. "I'he Bible is prom]"itly put to use. 
its words used to bless the project that is 
about to commence and to offer w (.)rds 
^if ho)X'. compassion, and direction 
during morning devotions each day of 
the construction phase. 

\\ hen the house is finished, the final, 
symbolic step is the recipient lamily again 
receiving its now almost-new Bible along 
with its new house — the Bible, a sign that 
faith in God and the desire to follow in 
lesus' footsteps is what led the xolunteers 
to construct the house and in\ite the 
recipient lamily to begin or continue its 
iourncN' o\ faith. 

Call it the mission of the Bible and the 
hammer. Call it ministry to the soul and 
bod\. Call it whate\er you want: It is a 
wonderlul example of Christians wit- 
nessing their faith through words and 
deeds. sa\s Rick Beech, director of 
Church Relations for Habitat for 
Humanitv . These two sjilts svmbolize 



the greatest gifts Christians have to 
oiler: As they follow in the steps oi' 
lesus. they serve as evangelists by pro- 
lessing their faith and inviting recipient 
lamilies to join them in their faith-filled 
journey, while "walking the talk" of 
lesus by helping people in need. 

Likewise, it is symbolic and fitting that 
Brethren at .Annual Conference this 
month construct a house with Habitat for 
Humanity, one oi' 10 Habitat houses that 
will be built this year in Cincinnati. Habi- 
tat's 1 0th year in the Queen Citv. 

In I'-T^O. .Annual Conference adopted 
its cunent World Mission statement. 
which included the following: 

"The Church of the Brethren, with 
ministries of e\angelism. agriculture, 
education, disaster relief, medical and 
other services, is called to carry God's 
message of love to all the world." 

Despite this call by Conlerence seven 
vears agci. there are manv within the 
Church oi the Brethren who believe that 
t-wer the past 10 years, and maybe even 
the past 20-30 years. Brethren have 
been at the loretront of social justice 
issues and concerns. During that same 
time, however. I^rethren as a whole have 
been humble to the extent of being fairly 
silent belore non- Brethren when it 
comes to prolessing theii" faith, values, 
and traditions, which is the impetus for 
Brethren to be engaged in social justice 
issues in the first place, .And when 
Brethren have "evangelized. " it was 
apart from social justice concerns. 

"I think in the last 3 5 years, the two 
have become pretty much mutually 
exclusive." says Paul Mundev. director 
o\ The .Andrew Center, the Church of 
the Brethren's f:vangelism program. 

Moderator-elect David Wine and Gen- 
eral Board chairwoman Kathy Hess agree, 
.And that's why both are strong supporters 
of this summer's Brethren, Habitat project. 

•After the successful Brethren/Habitat 
project during National Youth Confer- 



16 .Messenger Ji'LV 1996 



ence in 1994, Mundey and several other 
General Board staff members spoke with 
Annual Conference officers about the 
possibility of organizing such a project 
during the annual meeting. Mundey; 
Donna Derr, director of Refugee/Dis- 
aster Services: and the late Ivan Fry, 
then director of Brethren Volunteer Ser- 
vice, agreed that such a project would be 
fitting for the Annual Conference envi- 
ronment. Annual Conference officers 
agreed that 1996 would be the year. 
i 

Having the General Board's E\an- 
gelism program team up with 

Refugee/ Disaster Services and BVS, 
I symbolizes the re-emphasis within the 
'Church of the Brethren General Board 
I of lesus' teaching that social justice con- 
jcerns and evangelism together hold the 
jkey to salvation. It is in keeping with the 
i 1989 General Board mission statement. 
lAnd prophetically, it brought together 
I the areas of service and evangelism 
! within the General Board a year before 
I the Board's Redesign Steering Commit- 
jtee report that Brethren strongly believe 
Ithe Church of the Brethren should be 
!about both, today and in the future. 
I For those Brethren who want to engage 
'in a service project at Conference, the 

Brethren/Habitat project is an excellent 
jopportunity. Each year about 4,000 non- 
idelegates attend Conference. This 
iproject will give an estimated 200 work- 
jers and an expected 500 onlookers the 
I opportunity to experience the Church of 
ithe Brethren witness in action, David 
jWine said. 

j In a Conference atmosphere that in 
(recent years has been divisive as Brethren 
Idealt with conflict by talking at each other 

instead of to each other, the Brethren/ 

Habitat project will have brothers and sis- 
jters in Christ working alongside others 
jwith different beliefs and opinions. This 

:ould be an ever so small step toward 

understanding and acceptance. 
The project also will serve as a way 



for Brethren to witness their beliefs to 
non- Brethren. 

July 1 . the day before Conference 
begins, has been designated as a "Bring 
a Friend" day, affording friends ot 
Brethren the opportunity to learn a little 
firsthand about what it means to be 
Brethren as they assist with the con- 
struction project. 

[Residents of the Cincinnati area also 
will learn more about the Church of the 
Brethren, since aspects of the project 
are expected to be picked up by the 
local media. With a Brethren workcamp 
providing the first of two weeks of labor 
needed to construct the house, the 
ground-breaking ceremony will occur 
eight days before the start of Confer- 
ence. Yet, Church of the Brethren 
representatives will join local Habitat 
officials, the Cincinnati mayor, and 
others for the ceremony. 

That's where News Services, the final 
piece of the puzzle, comes in. With News 
Services becoming a sponsor of the event, 
to ensure that Church of the Brethren's 
social justice and evangelistic witness is 
expressed in the local press, the General 
Board's three commissions (World and 
Parish ministries, and General Services) 
all are involved directly with the event. 

"I find it wonderful that General Board 
staff can model how we Brethren do a 
service project and at the same time 
articulate to those around us why we're 
doing it, which is for jesus." says Kathy 
Hess. "To me this project lifts up the way 
we need to be doing ministry in the pre- 
sent and the future, and 1 think it is a 
beautiful illustration of how God wants 
us to weave together the gifts we're given 
so that his name might be exulted." 

What is so attractive about this pro- 
ject, says David Wine, is that it brings 
out the best of what it means to be 
Brethren, connecting evangelism with 
social justice concerns, "And two 
strands woven together are stronger 
than two separate strands." 



Call it the mission of 

the Bible and the 

hammer. Call it 

ministry to the soul and 

body. Call it whatever 
you want: It is a 

wonderful example oj 

Christians witnessino 

their faith through 

words ami deeds. 



M. 




July 1996 Messenger 17 



jlj Saving and serving: 

Overcoming 'one-sided Christianity' 




If the Church of the 

Brethren really is a 

church that coutiuues 

the work of (esus, it 

will put aside one- 

siiied definitions of 

what that work is and 

embrace the full scope 

of Christ's mission in 

the world. W hen they 

have been at their best, 

that's what Brethren 

always have done. 




BY Don Fitzkee 

"Chiiirlics loJtiy arc tniiiiccilly split 
hciwccii ihosc ]\iio sircss conversion hiii 
lhi]X' joriioilcii ils iioiil. ciihl lliosc wlio 
cniplhisizc Clirisiian social action Ivit 
lia\c forgotten the necessity for 
antrcrsiott" {jini Wiillis. The Call lo 
C'onxcrsion. \cw )orl\: I liirpcr. I'-ISil. 

■'Conliiiuing the woi'k oi icsus. 
IVaccluliy. Simply. Ttigcthcr." 

When liic General Board 
Limciled this new idcntitv 
lino for the Chufch of the 
Brcthicn in l^T-M, responses from across 
the denomination were largely jiositive. 
I^rethren ol \arii.nis stripes, who dis- 
agree uilh each other on man\ points. 
ha\e enibi'aeed this simple line as a good 
description of what our church does. Oi' 
at least what it ouglii to do. 

But. 1 suspect, il we wei'c to assenible a 
committee ol live to deline exactly what 
the statement means, agreement quickly 
w ould give way to acrinumy. At the heart 
ol the debate would be the question, 
"lixactly what was the work of |esus?" 

\Um\ l^rethren point to jesus' death 
and resurrection as his primary work. 
l'|-oelainiing the good news of saUation 
loi' all who believe — evangelism — is the 
church's central task. .Many others, 
observing jesus' confrontation with 
authorities, his concern for the pt>or. his 
leaeliings on peace and justiee. would lift 
up social action as the wtirk of jesus that 
ihc church sinnild continue. Far fewer 
would cnthusiasticalJN embrace both. 

[:\eii the structure of our denomination 
separates the two. The General Board 
|-\angelism program is lodged with the 
Parish Ministries Commission. Most 
peace. ser\ice. atid justice ministries, on 
ilie other hand, fall under the World Min- 
istries Commission. Sharp philosophical 
dillerences o\'er how to deline the work 
of jesus at times has divided the staff Df 
these twc) commissions. 



In his recent book ()nc-siilc^l C'liristiiin- 
ilv (Zondervan I laiper. San |-rancisco, 
lOQ^), Ronald |. Sider charges: 

"Most churciies today are one- 
sided disasters. In some suburban 
churches huiulreds of people coiue 
to lesus and praise Cod in brand- 
new buildings, but they seldom 
learn that their faith has an\ tiling \o 
do with wrenching, inner-city 
poverty just a few miles away. In 
either cliurclies. the members wiite 
their senators and lobby the mayor's 
office, but they understand little 
about the Holy Spirit. And they 
would be stunned if someone asketl 
them personally to invite their 
neighbors to acccjit Christ." 

Sider. professor of theology and culture 
at Eastern Baptist Theological Seniinar\ 
in VVynnewood. Pa., and the head of 
iivangelicals for Social Action, argues 
passionately that "the work of lesus" 
includes both evangelism and social 
action, saving and serving. Anything less 
is unbiblical. "one-sided Christianity." 

I believe that even a cursory glance at 
the ministry and teachings of jesus leads 
to the same conclusion. Luke 4:lb-21 is 
an important text in determining just 
what "the wcnk of jesus" includes. 

Some cemsider these verses to be a man- 
ilesto ol sLirts. whereby lesus declared 
w hat he intended to do with liis life. The 
setting is a synagogue in Nazareth at the 
outset ol his public ministry, jesus is 
handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, 
from which he reads these words: 

" The Spiiit oi the Lord is upon me. 
because he has anointed me to preach 
good news to the poor. He has sent 
me to jiroclaim release to the captives 
and recovery of sight to the blind, to let 
the oppressed go free, to proclaim the 
year ol the Lord's favor." 

As the audience looked on. jesus 
i\illed up the scroll and declared. "Today 
this scripture has been fulfilled in your 
hearing." F'erhaps a clearer translation 



18 MtissENGER July 1996 



would be "Today this scripture that you 
have just heard has been fuit'iiied." 

These briet words, quoted from Isaiah 
61, Jesus seemed to say, summed up his 
ministry. What the prophet had pre- 
dicted hundreds of years earher was 
coming to pass in |esus Christ. What 
was the wori< of lesus? 

lesus declared first of all that he had 
come to preach and proclaim the good 
news, words that evangelism advocates 
Ireadily embrace. But he also specifically 
imentioned the poor, the oppressed, the 
iblind, as those he would preach to and 
[release from their oppression, providing 
isupport for those who believe service or 
social action was at the heart of lesus" 
iministry. 

But what did |esus mean? Had he 
come to preach to the poor or the 
ipoor in spirit? Was he talking about 
ipeople imprisoned by injustice and 
oppression or those who were captives 
jto sin? Was he concerned about the 
physically blind or the spiritually blind? 

Those who define the work of lesus 
primarily as evangelism tend to spiri- 
tualize these words. Social action 
ladvocates would argue for reading the 
itext more literally, lesus really was talk- 
'ing about people who were physically 
poor, blind, or imprisoned. 

The context of these verses as they 
appear in Isaiah 61 clearly points to 
iphysical, not spiritual, realities. The 
isocial action advocates are correct. 
■ On the other hand, lesus often took 
lOld Testament passages and breathed 
new meaning into them. Maybe he is 
taking a familiar passage about physical 
conditions and using it to point to spiri- 
tual truths. The evangelism advocates 
may also be right about this text. 

In fact, the record of lesus" ministry in 
the four Gospels confirms that both sides 
are correct, jesus literally did heal people of 
Dlindness. but he also lamented for those 
>vho though "seeing they do not perceive"" 
(Matt. 15:13). He cared for the physically 



poor and the oppressed, but he also 
released people from "the power of reign- 
ing sin,"" to use the words of a familiar 
hymn. He gave bread to the hungry, but 
declared that we do not live by bread alone. 

The whole nature of lesus' ministry 
was that he ministered to total persons, 
caring for physical and spiritual needs. 
Shouldn't a church that desires to con- 
tinue the work of lesus do the same? 

Both evangelism and social ministries 
are essential parts of the work of lesus. 
Rather than being at odds with each 
other, Sider points out in One-sided 
Christianity, evangelism and social 
action actually are closely intertwined 
and mutually supportive. 

On the one hand, social ministiies 
foster evangelism. A church that actively 
serves the poor and shows Christ"s love 
in practical ways to those in need is an 
attractive and winsome testimony to the 
power of lesus. The evangclist"s call to 
accept a Savior who transforms lives is 
made credible by a caring community 
that demonstrates the fruits of that 
transformation. 

On the other hand, biblical evangelism 
also promotes social action. As Sider 
puts it, "The gospel creates new persons 
whose transformed character and action 
change the world." People who truly 
have accepted lesus as Lord and Savior 
cannot help but share Christ's love in 
tangible ways with those around them. 

If the Church of the Brethren really is 
a church that continues the work of 
lesus, it will put aside one-sided defini- 
tions of what that work is and embrace 
the full scope of Christ's mission in the 
world. When they have been at their 
best, that's what Brethren always i* 
have done. i ' 

Don Filzkec. a iniiusler in Cluques Church of ihc 
lliviliivii ill Mciiihciiii. I'll, ii jusi completing a fnv- 
year teriii on llic General Board, sen'ing lliis pasi year 
as cliairinaii of the General Service!! Coininiision. He 
also is chainiiuii oj the search coiniiiiliec chiirgeil 
wall fiihliiig ii new general secrelarv lo succccil 
Donald E Miller Fitzkee served 198b-I^SS as an 
edilorial assisiain with MrssPMM i). 



A church that actively 
serves the poor and 

shows Christ's love in 

practical ways is an 

attractive and 

winsome testimony to 
the power of Jesus. 

The evangelist's call to 

accept a Savior who 

transforms lives is 

made credible by a 

caring community that 

demonstrates the fruits 

of that transformation. 




}vL\ 1996 Messenger 19 



S Saving souls 



without losing our own 




11 i' really have set 

oiir.u'lvc.s lip for ^ 

drrliiic, iis \vc have 

rrcatcd a polarity 

between two eoneepts 

that do not need to be 

inutually exelusive: 

evanpelisni and 

o 

identity. 



BY Paul Mundey 




I lie scene is Annual Conference. Iliicl- 
died in a locus group, a handful of 
conlcicncc attendees begins to respond 
lVeel\ and eandidls. "What about Bretiiren 
growth aiul evangelism'.'" the locus gr^tup 
ci.>n\eners ask. 

"Our deiKiniination is kind ol wishv- 
\\ash\." one partici|"iant wlunteeis. "ihe 
church wants new people, but mainly it 
sa\s. 'Come join our church: we'll do this 
and this tor you.' I'm ready for the church 
to take a strong stance about who we are." 

"I agree." another participant notes. "A 
lot ol our evangelism ellorts just push for 
new members. I"m not happy with that. 
I'he\ 'le approaching this as just another 
'Christian denomination.' not as the 
Cluiicli ol the Brethren. Our message is 
'Come, experience all this religious 
stuff — not things like social justice and 
peace, and iluil's who we are." 

"So ofteri. e\arigelisrn tries to market 
itsell," still another participant suggests, 
"■|-ind out what the Baby Boomers want, 
and gi\e it to them" approach. We don't 
have enough seiise ol discipleship. We're 
nK>re casual about our values tliaii we 
should be. Our values are peace, simple 
life, reaching out to help, warmth and lel- 
k)wshi|T." 

"We need to accept it." a last locus group 
menibei- ccincludes. "Our teaching is not 
populai'. It woit't inipress or attract a lot of 
people. I'm no longer apologetic for not 
witnessing. .All I try to do is to live iriy faith." 

I'd like to say these are hypothetical or 
manufactured statements. They arc not. 
They are verbatim comments transcribed 
b\ Comrnuiiict)rp. an .Atlanta-based public 
relations firm, during a series of locus 
grcnips held at the 1 QQ4 Annual Confer- 
ence, Thougli painful reading for me as 
cxangelism director for the denoniination. 
tlie\ are actually enlightening in under- 
standing our paralysis as a people. We 
really have set ourselves up for decline, as 
we have created a polarity between two 
eoneepts that do not need to be mutually 



exclusive: evangelism and identity. 

Ill uiiraveling this debate. 1 have found 
it hclplul to lest some lamiliar but prob- 
lematic assumptioris: 

Assumption 1 : Few want us 

Is it accin-ate to conclude, in the words of 
one locus group participant, "that our 
teaching is not popular: it won't inipress 
or attract a lot of people'".' If by "a lot of 
people" this person means mega-church, 
he is |Trobably right. It is hard to imagine 
a Church of the Brethren congregation 
numbering 5.000-10.000 people. But if 
by "a lot of people" this person is con- 
structing a rationale lor not reaching out 
(which his cornment implies), we then 
have a problem 011 our hands. The prob- 
lem'.' .An insular, provincial niindset. 
which slides toward indiffcrerice. 

In my travels, I have found that nuiiiy 
Wiinl us. if by "us." we first and foremost 
mean our vision and values. Many want to 
be part of a church that feels like faniily. 
Many want to be a part of church that 
demonstrates how to establish a simpler wai 
o\' living. Many want to be a part of a churef 
that works to couriter violence and blood- 
shed. Marty waiit to be a part of a church 
that operates out of a sense of corniiiunity. 
rather than rigid rules and regulations. 

Actually, the issue is not whether others 
want us. /'((( do irt' want llieiu'.' Consider 
Cora Hunt's exiierience. reeouiited in a 
February 1996 letter in Mi'Ssi:Nc;i:R: 

"Last October we went to an Arizona 
Church of the Brethreii. assuming the 
Sunday service began at 1 I a.m. (no 
hours were listed outside the church or in 
the phone book). The service was half- 
over, having begun at 10:50 a,m. Alter 
church, one mart said, 'Good morning' to 
us. That was it. At a Baptist church the 
next Sunday, by the time the service 
started, some 1 people had greeted us, 
given their names and asked ours, and 
inquired about us ... . Once again the 
Brethren had come across as an insular 
group that either doesn't trust 'outsiders' 
or simply doesn't care about others." 



20 Messenger July 1996 



Sometimes I wonder: Does our identity 
:flow primarily from the vsidening welcome 
iaf the New Testament church, or the pro- 
Lective familiarity of the Old Testament 
:ribe? is our sense of security and safety, 
radically rooted in lesus Christ and his 
Tcw community, or the habitual routine 
and ancestry of a Germanic, ethnic clan? 
I In actuality, our answer to those 
questions have more to do with our com- 
nitment to justice and ser\ice than our 
bommitment to evangelism and growth. 
It's interesting to note the way Cora Hunt 
);oncludes her letter: 

"The Lord instructed us to minister to 
;he least of these and to seek out the 
onely. the lost, and the stranger in our 
iiidst. They are all around us. and a kind 
.vord goes a long way toward furthering 
he Lord's work." 

Cora Hunt's concern {and that of 
others outside our walls) is rooted in 
esus' admonition in Matthew 2 5:51-46 
.a traditional justice and service passage). 
IS opposed to Matthew 28:lb-20 (a tra- 
litional evangelism and growth passage). 

"Then the king will say to those at his 
■ight hand. 'Come, you that are blessed by 
ii\ r-'ather. inherit the kingdom prepared 
or you . . . ; tor 1 was hungry and you gave 
ne food, i was thirsty and you gave me 
lomething to drink. / was a stranger and 
'ou u'elconied inc . . .'" (Matt. 25:54-55). 

Will we practice hospitality, embracing 
ihose currently not in our midst? 

\ssumption 2: Faithful mission 
loes not require the inclusion 
jf outsiders 

s it accurate to conclude, in the words of 
'ct another locus group participant, that 
he essence ot our mission boils down to 
'social justice and peace, and lliat's who 
ve are"? Is that it? 

Operating out of a different set of 
issumptions. the 1989 Annual Confer- 
nce attempted to widen our mission 
dentity. in passing a Mission Theology 
md Guidelines paper for the denomina- 



tion, it affirmed — among other things — 
that we are called: 

• To reach out and receive as sisters and 
brothers all who are near and far. to pro- 
claim the gospel, to bear witness to our 
faith in word and deed. 

• To become peacemakers in whatever 
capacity we can. renewing the ministry o\ 
reconciliation as Christ has reconciled us. 

• To nurture a deep prayer life and open- 
ness to the Holy Spirit, and to receive gifts 
of spii'itual renewal that are offered to all 
those \\ ho love God and Humanity. 

Why then do we reduce our witness 
artificially to one or two tenets? E5rethren 
mission identity nnisi include a strong, 
unapologetic emphasis on social justice 
and peace, but it must also include other 
critical elements retquired for faithful, bib- 
lical witness. 

One of these elements is the biblical 
mandate to reach out and include the out- 
sider, the stranger. In fact, the 1989 
Mission Theology and Guidelines paper 
identifies as the first biblical mandate for 
mission, "bringing persons to a new 
awareness of lesus Christ as Savior and 
Lord." In his book Proelaiin Glad Tidings. 
Brethren theologian Vernard Eller goes so 
far as to argue that "evangelism is actually 
an item demanding to be listed (along with 
peace, the simple life, radical discipleship. 
and what all) as one of the eore distinetires 
of Brethrenism (italics added)." 

Will we embrace evangelistic outreach 
as a Brethren distinctive . . . again? 

Assumption 3: Inclusion of 
outsiders 'waters down' 
discipleship 

Is it accurate to conclude, in the words of 
yet another focus group participant, that 
"evangelism tries to market itself. . . .'Find 
out what the Baby Boomers want, and 
give it to them". . . .We don't ha\'e enough 
sense of discipleship . . ."? 

In part, this person is correct. Effective 
outreach to outsiders (that is. evange- 



ls/;); then do wc 

reduce our witness 

artificially to one or 

two tenets P Brethren 

mission identity 

must include a 

strong^ unapologetic 

emphasis on social 

justice, hut it must 

also include other 

critical elements 

requ i red jo r fa i thfi 1 1, 

biblical witness. 




July 1996 Messengkr 21 




Few outsiders are 
attracted to a set of 
uiaudatory customs, 

but luaux are 
attracted to a set of 

cndurino values. 



lism) ilocs attempt to "market" tlic 
gospel, in that it attempts to position 
L'liiisi ,nul tiie ehuieii in relationship lo 
the needs ol llie oulsidei' in winsome, rel- 
evant \\a\s. But does sueh an aii|iroaeh to 
LHitreaeh, "sell oui" the gospel and water 
down diseipleship? NiH necessarily so. ,\s 
lex Sample notes in his book i S 
lifestyles iiinl Miiiiiliiic Kclii^iair. 

"Paul . . . maintained . . .that he had been 
all things lo all people ( I Cor. ^T:22). His 
plan was not i^me ot aeecmimotlaling the 
ehuieh tv> the \arious cultural arrange- 
ments he louml . . . (I'ather that) to be all 
things to all people is only ti first step in . . . 
11 anslormatitin. People ottcn eibject that 
bab\ boomers will not make comnnlmenls 
anil that the\ slK>uld iKU be welcomed into 
the ehuich. . . .^et it simpK docs no good 
to tell people the\ ought to ha\e commit- 
ments: inteicslingly enough, the Christian 
laith does not approach people this way. at 
least not in its authentic loinis. Acctuxling 
to the gospel. Cod does not lii'st require 
commitment. Instead. Cod acts on our 
behall. sends Christ to li\e and die loi- us, 
and laises Christ as our promise aiul hope. 
( 'hrisiiiiti faith does not hei^iti hv telliiiii lis 
whiii we iitiist do. but by proehiiininii what 
Ctod has already done . . ." (italics added). 

Holistic, evangelistic outreach is best 
seen as a continuum ot acli\it\. which 
begins with a engaging, "jusi as I am" 
invitation to the outsider — but elaies not 
end there. 

In evaluating the Church ol the 
Krelhien's Passing On the Promise effort. 
Cieorge Mendenhall was struck bv the 
level of diseipleship resulting trom the 
three-vear evangelistic process. Specilic 
outcomes are best expressed, however, in 
the wt)i-ds of actual participants: 

"Our diseipleship program changed a 
man so completeb it ama/.ed me. his wife. 



Customs 


Values 


• Swappinji n.imes of lommmi 


• ConiTiuinit) 


friends ami ancestors 




• .Meetings, meetings, meetmgs 


• I'nesthood ot all believers 


• Feetwashing 


• Servanthooci 


• Conscientious ohiector status 


• I'eaee and justice 



and all who daily associate with him. By 
his change of spirit ... he truly excelled in 
disci|ileship assignments and became a 
poweilul witness to others." 

"The most exciting (result) is oui' .Alter 
native Toy I'air .... People will have the 
tilijHirtunity to see what our congregation 
values. We want the |"ieople in our com- 
munity lo see us as a peaee ehiireh that 
weleoines them" (italics atlded). 

.Are effective evangelism and deep disci 
pleship mutuallv exclusive'.' 

A peace church that welcomes 

rhe last diseipleship testimony cited 
above contains a powerfully descri]"itive 
phrase that says, in so many wortls. "We 
as|iire to be: V\ peace chuich that wel- 
comes.'" Not a bad melding of identity 
concerns and evangelism. But hovv can 
that happen'.' In light of om- (.liscussion. 
heie are three direct suggestions: 

1. Reaffirm the mines of the 
Anabaptist, Pietist movement. 

It's an unsettling, but accurate statement 
Few outsiders are attracted to a set of 
manilatorv customs, but many are 
attracted to a set of enduring values. 

\alues are different Irom customs. 
Customs are the conventional habits anc 
loutines of a particular clan or tribe. 
\alues. ou the other hand, ai'c the 
underlving desired results oi a dvnamic 
movemenl. The chart below left shows 
some straightforward examples. 

livery social structure itiiist have a cer- 
tain clusici' of customs to pass on its 
identitv and heritage. Some of those cus- 
toms intist be literally sustained and 
passed on. lieneration after generaiioti. 
Please hcai- this. 

However, when too many customs 
become too fixed and tiitantendable 
(allowing little or no variation in expres- 
sion) thev end up exeltiding. rather than 
including. 

This was the dilemma conf rimting the 
earlv clun-ch. Circumcision was a commoi 
expectation and custom in the tight-knit 
levvish Chi'istian community. In order to 
make a transiti(.)n more fullv. however, 
from clannishness cauaht in custom to 



22 Messenger jri.v 1996 



;omiTiunity commanded by Christ, it 
leeded to rethink the role and authority of 
his required, communal "admission 
j:icket" (see Acts 11). Although it ebbed 
lind flowed on this issue, the early lewish/ 
Christian church realized the ultimate, 
iesired result was not the custom or rite of 
;ircumcision; the ultimate, desired result 
A'as the value of life-change in and 
:hrough Christ. 

Is your congregation confusing customs 
A'ith values? What contemporary forms of 
:ircumcision might you be insisting upon — 
.\ ithout even being aware that you are? 

.At your next church board meeting/ 
l-etreat or congregational business meet- 
ng. list the values central to your 
i;ongregation. Try to affirm, however, that 
[here might be more than one route 
(:oward honoring them (more than one 
A'ay. that is. of "being Brethren"). 

2. Work at becoming a multi- 
telled cono;regation 

For a number of years, I have floated the 
hotion that we Brethren attempt to shape 
]:ommunity through the three C's: cen- 
iTalization, control, and conformity. 
iBecause much of our identity is derived 
From a clannish, tribal mentality, we have 
jiigh need to rein in people and ideas 
:oward a hushed, but torcelul "political 
;orrectness." 

This is ironic, given the denomination's 
-listoric commitment to diversity, plural - 
ty, racial integration, and justice for all 
Deoples. But look at the color composition 
Df our people. In spite of powerful posi- 
|:ion papers, marches through the streets, 
and race awareness education, we are 
largely a lily-white communion, 
i Why? Because we are largely a single- 
•zeW communion. Traditionally, it has been 
!iard for us to allow a decentralized, 
diverse, multicolored approach to being 
Brethren. Whether we admit it or not, 
here is an unwritten code of conformity, 
an "in or out" list, for being an acceptable 
nember of our denomination. True, it is 
lot as explicit as 19th-century Annual 
Conference decrees that banned lightning 
rods and buttons on coats, but it is very 
nuch alive attitudinally and relationally. A 



fraternity mindset still governs our lite 
together. 

Unfortunately, there is no single, simple 
solution out of such a familial pattern. We 
can begin, however, to crack the code on 
a congregational level by making a transi- 
tion from being a single-cell congregation 
to being a multicell congregation. Writing 
in the early 1 980s, Church of the Brethren 
consultant Roy lohnson defined a single- 
cell church as one "that tor practical 
purposes exists as a single group of 
people with no adhesive, functioning sub- 
groupings. Everyone in such a church 
tends to know what others are doing and 
feels obligated to take part in whatever 
programs are planned." 

It was lohnson's thesis — and mine — that 
"single-cell anemia" is one of the principle 
reasons the Church of the Brethren has not 
arrested its ongoing, pronounced decline. 

Some practical steps you and your con- 
gregation might take (all resources listed 
available from The Andrew Center [800] 
774-3560): 

• Multiply the number of adult Sunday 
School classes. 

The proverb is true: New groups equal 
new growth. This is the simplest way for a 
congregation to begin multiplying options 
and opportunities for people. 

Resource: Growth Principles and Meth- 
ods for Adult Sunday School Classes (Video 
presentation by Herb Miller). 

• Use a more decentralized form of 
church organization, formed around 
decentralized ministry teams. 

A query to the 1996 Annual Conterence 
from Atlantic Northeast District relates to 
congregational organization. As district 
executive, Allen Hansell notes that our 
current structure is "not flexible enough 
with a board and three commissions," and 
"ministry issues sliould mold ministry 
teams, not rice ]'ersa. as done in the ciir- 
reni structure" (italics added). 

Resource: Sacred Cows Make Gourmet 
Burgers, by Bill Easum. .Abingdon Press. 

• Consider adding a second worship 
service. 

According to Win Am. "Every congre- 
gation, regardless of size, location, 
denomination, or present growth trends, 
should be offering at least two quality 



Whether we admit it 
or not, there is an 

unwritten code 

of conformity for 

being an acceptable 

member of our 
denomination. It is 

not as explicit as 

igth-century Annual 

Coiference decrees, 

but it is very much 

alive attitudiimlly 

and relationally. 




July 1996 Mes.sknclr 23 



worsliiji stN'lcs c;ich week." 

Resource: \Uilnplc Scrrico. Siraicgy for 
Cirowth Kii. C'hureli ol the Nazarcnc. 

3. xMakc Jesus Christ central 

In his book AssiiiiiUiiinii Sew Mciiihcrs. 
l.yle Sehaller titles iiis initial ciiapter with 
a ]iro\oeative but probing question of 



Ecumenism through evangelism 

A familiar proverb teaches tliat happiness is like a butterll) ; the 
more sou pursue it. the more it e\ades you. But if \ou turn your 
attention tL> othei' things, ii will come and land gently on \our shoul- 
der. That is also true of ecumenism. 

For yeai's wc have attempted to de\elop closer relationships with The 
Brethren Church. General Conference Mennonite Church, and the 
Mcnnonite Church. Direct, head-on attempts often ha\e failed, but as 
we have "turned our attention to other things." be they curriculum or 
hvmnal development, peacemaking or mission initiatives, relationships 
meld and the vision of John 1 7:20-26 — the vision of ecumenism — 
gently wings its way into our midst. 

This also has been true as we have turned our attention toward evange- 
lism over the last decade. In the lQ80s. as we were developing the 
Evangelism Leaders Academv and Passing On the Promise, the Church ol' 
the Brethren was approached by the Mennonite Church, the General Con- 
ference Mennonite Church and subsequently (in the early 1990s) by The 
Brethren Church, for assistance with their evangelism programming. 
Resulting from this contact was "official" cosponsorship by these comniu- 
nii>ns of the Hvangelism Leaders .Academv . and denominational, 
customized versions of Passing On the Promise. The Brethren Church kept 
the name Passing On the Promise: the Mennonites adapted and redevel- 
oped materials under the banner of LIFE — Living in Faithful Evangelism. 

Our relationship with The Brethren Church perhaps has been the 
most striking. .After decades of historic separation, it has been 
extremely gratifying to work together on a major project affecting hun- 
dreds of Brethren congregations across traditional denominational 
barriers. Reflecting on our partnership through the Evangelism Leaders 
.Academy and Passing On the Promise. Ronald W. Waters, a Brethren 
Church seminary professor and former executive, has reflected: 

"I first met Paul Mundcy in .Mav 1991 to discuss using Passing On 
the Promise in The Brethren Church .... I remember joking at the time 
that it was a humbling experience for us in The Brethren Church to 
come to the Church of the Brethren to learn about evangelism .... Oui' 
continuing partnership in The Andrew Center . . . further broadens oui- 
potential for expanding our witness . . . .Together, we are 'spiuMing) 
one another on toward love and good deeds' (Heb. 10:24). I value a 
partnership such as this that is breaking down human walls of divisieni 
and building relationships for the advancement of the cause of our 
Lord [esus Christ." 

Breaking down walls, building relationships; ecumenism through 
evangelism . . . Brethren stvle. — Pal i. MiMiri' 



congregational life: "What's the Glue'.'" 
Is it denominational identity, the person- 
alilv and magnelisin of the minister, the 
enemy, group life, heritage and nostalgia, 
social class, the church secretary? 

Actuallv. move than one of these "glues" 
is needed to hold a church together. But 
one controlling, catalytic element is 
needed in all settings: the living reality of 
jesus Christ. Without it. the ties that bind, 
become gummy, inflexible, and exclusive. 

In the famed Jerusalem Council. Peter 
rose to quell a fierce debate over the inclu- 
sion of outsiders. In essence, the church 
was debating what we debate today, the 
meaning of identity, in relation to outreach. 

"Friends, voii well know that from early 
on God made it quite plain that he wanted 
the pagans to hear the Message of this 
good news and embrace it ... . He ireaial 
the outsiders exactly as he treated us. 
beginning at the very center of who they 
were aitd working front titat center out- 
ward, cleaning up their liws as they 
trusted and believed him. So why are you 
trying to out-god God. loading these new 
believers down with rules .... "Don't we 
believe that we are saved because the 
Master lesus amazingly and (nit of sheer 
generosity ntoved to save us just as he did 
those from beyond our nation? So what are 
we arguing about'.'"' (italics added) (Acts 
15:7-M, The Message). 

.And so what are we arguing about'.' 
Evangelism and discipleship, inclusion and 
identity are not mutually exclusive. Con- 
trary to conventional wisdom, it is possible 
to "save souls" without losing our own. 

In his book Tliaitk Cod for \ew 
Churches. James H. Lehman tells of 
Harvey Brumbaugh, a president of luniata 
College at the turn of the century. Brum- 
baugh often referred to luniata as a "right 
little, tight little college." After quoting 
Brumbaugh. Lehman next turns the tables 
and asks. "Are we a 'right little, tight little 
denomination "".' 

Well, are we'.' God help us to move out 
of the warm, but excluding patterns of an 
Old Testament elan to the warm, but 
inclusive patterns of a New Testa- ^ 

ment church. 

Paul Miiihiey /.•' director of Ewitgclisni on ibc I'arish 
MiiiiflriO' Stuff. 



24 Messenger luLV 1996 




coming strangers 



3Y Fred Bernhard 
\.ND Steve Clapp 



Concept: While our culture teaches us to 
ear strangers, we also know that our best 
'rieiids were once strangers to us. Life is 
ransfornied wheit we see the stranger as a 
potential friend. 



m. 



all have received and extended 
(idvice about strangers. Most of that 
J:ounsel consists of admonitions to protect 
purselves and others from the harmful 
.nfluence or actions of those who are 
jinknown to us. 

Statements and accounts such as the 
lollowing are commonplace: 

"Don't accept a ride from a stranger." 
"Don't go to the bathroom alone at the 

movies." 
"Don't accept gifts from strangers." 
"Don't accept candy from someone you 

don't know." 
"Be careful of people who look like . 

"\bu can never be sure what someone 

like that will do." 
"Did you hear what happened to that 

man who stopped to help a person 

who had a flat tire?" 
"Did you hear what happened to that 

woman who let the stranger into her 

house?" 
"It probably doesn't mean anything, but 

1 just had such an uneasy feeling 

when I met him." 

We know that the world in which we live 
s not a safe one. Much of the advice con- 
ained in the preceding quotations is 
:specially relevant for children. Yet we 
nust be careful that we don't instill too 
leep a fear in our children and teenagers, 
md we need to avoid the trap of living in 
ear ourselves. 



Our view of the home 

How we view our homes correlates to an 
extent with our attitudes toward 
strangers: 

• Do you see your home as a castle with 
a moat around it and towers Irom which 
you can defend your property and those 
who live there? 

• Do you see your home as a gathering 



plac 



Do vou like to entertain'; 



• Do you see your home as a getaway or 
an escape from the pressures of life? Do 
you want to avoid bringing problems or 
controversy into the home? 

• Do you see your home as a continuing 
work of art? Do you take great pride in the 
design, the furnishings, and the cleanliness 
of your home? 

• Do you find yourself feeling resentful 
when other people are in your home, or 
do you covet opportunities to show people 
what you have accomplished? 

• Do you see your home as Grand Cen- 
tral Station with lots of people passing 
through all the time — some of whom you 
know well and some not at all well? 

An image of the home as Grand Central 
Station or as a gathering place tends to 
make us more receptive to strangers, 
whether we encounter those strangers in the 
work place, the neighborhood, the grocery 
store, or the church. If your home seems 
like a castle or a getaway, you may be more 
cautious about encouraging people to call or 
visit you at home. Does that attitude extend 
to your relationships outside the home? 

There is nothing wrong with the attitudes 
toward the home just expressed. Most of us 
have feelings about the home that shift 
depending on what is happening in our 
lives. After an extended period oi' the home 
as Grand Central Station, we may develop 
great fondness for the home as a getaway, 
although closing down Grand Central Sta- 
tion can be a tough job. 

We need, however, to be sensitive to the 




Putting his faith into 
action, I red Bernhard 
works on a building 
project in Kentucky. 



K'LV u)96 Messenger 25 



SciJiccnc who hiis 

liist luovcii to a 

coniinumty finds 

everyone a striinoer 

cinJ IS ver\ consfioiis 

of the need to heoin 

niakino friends with 

the stranoers who are 

encountered. 



reality llial our alliliKlcs toward strangers 
arc lornicti h\ \arious inilucnccs: 

• The things we ha\e heard Ironi 
other people. 

• Aeeoimis in the media. 

• The wa\ we leel about oui' homes 
and tamihes. 

• The exi^erienees we have had. 

■Xnothei' inlluenee can be the many good 
IViends we ahead) ha\e. Someone who has 
just mo\ed to a eommimity finds everyone 
a stranger and is very conscious of the need 
to begin making friends with the strangers 
w ho are encountered. Those of us who liave 
hved in the same place for many years may 
already have so many friends that we don't 
leel a |iartieular need lor (.me more. We may 
wish we could figure out how to find more 
time for the Iriends we do have. Such an 




Making people feel at 

home is one al the keys to 

Oakland Church of ihe 

Ihvihivn's sicacly limwth. 



attitude, however, closes us to what v\e 
might gain from new friendships, and espe- 
cially from Iriendships with people who are 
different from us in significant ways. We 
may miss some of the blessings God offers 
us thi\)ugh new relationships. 

The essence of hospitality 

Our best friends were once strangers to 
us. There arc valid reasons for wanting 
our homes to feel insular and safe, but 
those efforts do not always have the 
desired effect. By avoiding or locking out 



the stranger, we ma\ in fact be locking out 
the blessings of God: 

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to 
strangers, for by doing that some have 
entertained angels without knowing it" 
(lleb. 13:2), 

Hospitality to the stranger is assumed 
throughout the Old and New Testament 
scriptures. Again and again, as in the para- 
ble of the Good Samaritan, the questioning 
is not on the worthiness of the stranger but 
on the faithfulness of the one encountering 
the stranger. The Samaritan did not ask 
the man who was injured: "Did you bring 
this on yourself? Were you trying to do a 
drug deal? Why weren't you traveling with 
someone else for safety?" The Samaritan 
simply responded to the human need that 
was encountered. The priest and the Levite 
who passed by are the ones whose behavior 
is called intLi question by [esus's telling of 
the parable. Look once more at these core 
definitions: 

• I lospiiiiliiv is the niiiuulc and practice 
of providing the atmosphere and opportii- 
iiilies. however risky, in which strangers 
are free to become friends, thereby feeling 
accepted, included, and loved. The rela- 
tionship thus opens up the possibility \ov 
eventual communion among the host, the 
stranger, and God. 

• The stranger is any person or group no 
known to the host person or group. The 
host perceives that this unknown person 
or group has the potential for relationship 
as an enemy or as a friend. 

\\ hether we start with the assumjition 
that the unknown person will be an cneni) 
or a friend makes a difference. When 
anyone conies to our church or shows an 
interest in religious concerns, our starting 
assumption certainly should be that such 
a person shares with us a pull toward the 
heart of God. Such a person is a potential 
friend, perhaps sent to us by God lor the 
enrichment of our lives. 

Think how your view of the new person 
in your neighborhood, your workplace, or 
the church would be transformed if your 
starting assumption was: "This is a 
person sent by God who may be a great 



26 Messenger Iru.v 199(1 



)lessing to my life, or this is a person sent 
)y God in order for me to be a blessing to 
lis or her life." 

Obviously such blessings have a len- 
iency to flow in both directions. How can 
ve best show hospitality in the church? 

iVhat we want when 

^e are strangers 

There are some important things that 
nost of us want to experience when we 
lire in the position of strangers, especially 
n terms of the church. Reflect on what it 
ivould be like to be a visitor to your con- 
jjregation. Read this list carefully, and 
lote those items that need more attention 
jrom you or your church in order to pro- 
'ide a more welcoming setting: 

» When \isiting a church, most people 
lon't want to be ignored. People e.xpect 
hose who are sitting near them to give 
brief introductions before or after the ser- 
vice or Sunday school class. 
I» When visiting a church, almost no one 
jvants to be o\erwhelmed. Two-thirds of 
hose who visit congregations for the first 
ime do not want to be introduced in wor- 
hip to the whole congregation. They 
Drefer meeting people on a one-to-one 
{)asis. introduce the new person to a few 
)ther people, not to every single person 
vhose attention you can get. 
• People especially do not want to feel 
Ignored during a designated fellowship 
|ime. If they go to a gathering spot for 
'offee and doughnuts, they assume that 
lome people will visit with them. They feel 
lejected if church members are all in tight 
■;roups with people they already know. Be 
^lert during such times for people who are 
tanding alone. 

» Visitors generally appreciate name tags 
[or themselves and for the members of the 
hurch. That makes it easier to remember 
lames and avoids awkwardness over 
lames not being heard correctly the first 
ime they are spoken. Remember that you 
s a member have only the name of one 
lew person to learn: the visitor has 
lozens or hundreds of names to eventu- 
illy learn upon joining the church. 



Name tags also make it easier for you 
to introduce the new person to others in 
the church whose names may not be as 
familiar as you would like. 

• People don't want to feel they are being 
required to pass a litmus test. Most will 
feel resentful of conversations that make 

it appear that someone is attempting to do 
research on family background and 
church activity. Churches with a strong 
ethnic membership, such as those with 
many descendants from Sweden or Ger- 
many, for example, sometimes act as 
though people with certain last names are 
more acceptable than others. 

In the ancient Near East, the name of 
the guest was not even asked until after a 
meal had been shared. While we exchange 
names at a much earlier time in our cul- 
ture, we need to be careful that the process 
of doing so does not cause us to act as 
though the name makes a difference. 

• Some people are anxious about how 
others will respond to certain aspects of 
their background. A person may be 
divorced, a single parent who has never 
married, unemployed, an alcoholic, or an 
ex-convict. These are pieces of information 
they are not eager to disclose. 

In an initial conversation, do not push 
people to fill in the gaps in their history. 
When we see an adult with a child, we 
should not immediately move to a ques- 
tion such as: "Where is your husband?" 
or "Where is your wife?" It's better to let 
such people disclose family information as 
they wish to. 

• People want to feel that others are 
interested in them and pleased to have 
them present. They respond well to gen- 
uine expressions of delight at their 
presence. 

There are many conversation topics that 
are good ones with people you have just 
met in the church: 

• Ask how those people chose your 
church to visit. 

• Tell how you became invoked in the 
church. 

• Ask those people how they feel about 
living in vour community. 



There are some 

important things 

that most of us want 

to experience when 

we are in the position 

of strangers, 

especially in terms of 

the church. 




July 1996 Messenger 27 



The next tunc you oo 

to \oiir church, luakc 

obscrvcUioiis from the 

perspective of a 

visitor to your 

congreoatiou. You 

will be surprised 

what a difference 

that makes in your 

view of the life of 

your church. 



A hospitality 
workshop 

Complementing the 
release of Fred Bernhard's 
new book. Widening the 
Welcome of Your Chritch: 
Biblical Hospitaliiy and 
the \'iial Church, is a 
special "teaching church" 
v\orkshop No\cmber 16 
at Oakland Church of the 
Brethren. Gettysburg. 
Ohio. Pastored by Fred 
Bernhard. Oakland has 
experienced marked and 
steady growth through a 
hospitality outreach. Call 
The .Andrew Center for 
more details. (800) 774- 
5560. 



• Say something about the weather; it's 
trite, but it works. 

• Ask those people where the\ arc origi- 
nally Irom. (lust don't pursue the (.juestion 
as though it were a litmus test or more 
impoitanl ihan it is.) 

• jell something that you especially like 
about \i.)ur ciiurch. 

• Ask lluise peo|ile il thc\ ha\e an\ c|ues- 
tions about the church. 

• Parents always are delighted when 
people show interest in thcii- children. 
Direct part of your conversation to the 
child or teenager who is with the adult. 

• A \isilor with a physical disability will 
appreciate an offer of assistance, such as 
information on elevator location for a 
person using a wheelchair or a walker. .\ 
person who is visually impaired or blind 
ma\ need assistance in moving from one 
place to another. Beyond such clearly 
needed assistance, people with disabilities 
generally prefer that conversation not 
center on the disability (thus making it 
appear that the disability is more impor- 
tant than the person). 

• People appreciate directions to the 
sanctuarv. an appropriate Sunday school 
class, or a gathering place for refresh- 
ments. 

• People almost universally appreciate an 
invitation to a meal either that day or at a 
mutually agreeable date later in the week. 
Few things show hospitality in a more 
meaningful way than having someone as 
your guest for a meal. Even if a person 
declines the initial invitation, the fact that 
it was given is still appreciated. Churches 
that focus on hospitality have a lot of 
people hosting others for meals. 

• People appreciate being remembered 

w ith a phone call the week following their 
visit. It feels good to know that someone 
remembered you and took the time to call 
and reinforce how good it was to have you 
l^resent. That can be an opportunity to 
extend an invitation to a meal, a Sundav 
school class, or a special program. 

• People appreciate returning the follow- 
ing week and finding that those to whom 
thev were introduced remember them and 



are delighted to see them again. 

• People who are insecure about chinch 
involvement or who feel uncomfortable in 
large crowds appreciate sensitivity to theii 
desire to go slowly in getting acquainted 
with others. 

Fstimates are that between three per- 
cent and nine percent of the North 
.American population experiences signifi- 
cant discomfort in large crowds. What 
appears to be aloofness may in fact simph 
be an unavoidable response to a large 
group of people. Such people often will 
respond better to a phone call or a visit 
dui'ing the week than to a lengthy discus- 
sion in the middle of a crowd on Sunday 
morning. Very few people who experience 
such anxietv in crowds ever talk about it 
with other people. Be sensitive to the pos- 
sibility that this could explain the behavioi 
of another person. 

• People appreciate receiving literature 
about the church. Brochures, newsletters, 
and copies of Messengizr can help 
answer questions at their leisure. 

• Young adults and teenagers who come 
as visitors may dress more casually than 
some congregational members. A compli- 
ment to such visitors about something 
they are wearing (assuming the compli- 
ment is sincerely meant) is a good way to 
affirm that inlormal dress is accepted in 
your church. 

Members of your church may not feel 
that informal dress is appropriate. That is 
a position that many congregations, how- 
ever, are rethinking. There are two factors 
behind the trend toward casual dress. 

First, a large number of workplaces 
have moved to more casual dress. That in 
turn has changed expectations about the 
weekend, with people investing less 
monev in suits, ties, and dress shoes. 

Second, many young adults increas- 
ingly are dressing casually for all sorts 
of occasions. Surveys of young adult 
males in 1994 and 1995 revealed that 
40 percent of them did not own a suit oi 
sport coat. 

• Strangers appreciate arrangements thai 
make it easv for them to know how to find 



28 Messenger Jllv 1996 



he church, where to park, where to 
:nter the church, and where to find 
hings in the church. Clear signs to the 
hurch. clearly marked parking, clearly 
narked entrances, and clearly posted signs 
nd directions inside the church help. 

That process can be made even warmer 
vith a greeter in the parking lot and a 
:reeter at each entrance for the Sunday 
chool time as well as for worship ser- 
ices. Some churches have parking places 
lose to the main entrance reserved for 
isitors as a way of showing that visitors 
re honored guests. 

!» Visitors appreciate announcements and 
hembers' news items being presented in a 
j/ay that does not exclude them. Speakers 
Iways should give their name, instead of 
issuming that everyone already knows it. 
I'hat also means giving sufficient context 
or announcements and congregational 
ews so that they make sense to visitors. 
fa meeting or activity only involves a 
mall number of people, no announce- 
lent should be made. 
' People appreciate instructions for the 
ervice being clearly stated by the worship 
^adership or in the bulletin. Is commu- 
ion open or closed? Do people come to 
le front of the church for communion? 
je people in the church sinners, debtors, 
r trespassers as far as the Lord's Prayer 
; concerned? Are words for all responses 
nd songs available in the bulletin or the 
ymnal? 

The next time you go to your church, 
lake observations from the perspective of 

visitor to your congregation. You will be 
urprised what a difference that makes in 
our view of the life of your church. Also 
ilk with people who recently have visited 
our congregation, and find out >j 

'hat they experienced. L^l 

Fred BernhanI is paslDi- oj Oakland Church of the 
'ethren in Gettysburg. Ohio. He lias sensed 
595-/996 us Annual Conference moderator 

Steve Clapp. a member of Lincolnshire Church of 
e Brethren in Fort Wayne. Ind.. is a writer on cii;/;- 
'lism topics. He serves as a senior consultant for 
'je Andrew Center, part of the Evangelism program 
' the Ceiteral Board. 



From \k (ifiieriil kmki 

A 50-year anniversary 

The Cincinnati Annual Conference marks 50 years since the forma- 
tion of the General Brotherhood Board, authorized in 1946. 

The 1 968 Annual Conference gave the General Board the present 
name and reorganized it from five to three commissions. Now the 
General Board is considering another redesign, to be presented to 
the 1997 Annual Conference. 

Much has changed in 50 years. In 1946 the church had many mis- 
sionaries in Africa and India. World War II had given rise to Civilian 
Public Service. Heifer Project, CROP, Brethren Volunteer Service, 
the International Christian Youth Exchange, and refugee resettle- 
ment led to worldwide Brethren Service activities. The work of the 
General Brotherhood Board was largely overseas on behalf of the 
congregations. 

World mission has changed radically in 50 years. The Christian 
church has been introduced into many nations. Those new 
churches now have their own strength and autonomy, and they 
stand alongside the churches in Europe and America as ec^uals in 
the faith. 

Material and service has also changed radically. After World 
War II there were drastic needs for material help and for refugee 
resettlement. Now the countries of western Europe and the Pacific 
rim are among the wealthiest countries in the world. 

The past 50 years have seen homelessness. drugs, crime, and 
violence grow in the United States. The result is that many commu- 
nities have serious problems unknown in the 1940s. Congregations 
are concerned about addressing these problems in their own 
communities. 

Fifty years ago the overwhelming need was to bring missionary 
and material resources to overseas people. The General Brotherhood 
Board did this on behalf of the congregations. Today overseas needs 
are balanced by the needs that congregations experience in their 
own communities. 

Church membership expanded for a decade or more after 1946. 
but since then it has declined radically. Church attendance is down 
in recent years. The American population is aging and congrega- 
tions are often concerned about how few young adults and young 
families are attending. From these considerations, the General 
Board adapted a new mission statement last year that features the 
resourcing of congregations. No longer can the Board simply receive 
resources from the congregations for the sake of worldwide out- 
reach. Congregations want to be more immediately related to 
outreach whether it be local or worldwide. The new situation means 
that congregations need resources that are adapted to their immedi- 
ate needs. 

New circumstances require new duties for the General Board. But 
let us remember to pause long enough to rejoice in the Lord always. 
— DoNALi> E. Miller 

Donald E. Miller is general secretary of the Church of the Brethren. 



July 1996 Mi-ssenc,kr 29 



StellDlIl! 



ij'ii' |f©[i!i fee!: 



:;Ji. 



S3® Dc- p: 



!:j ^ 



-h 



r-j rr n M-r ^''^ l]-^ s^ r^ fv n m" ""^ 



by Robin Wentworth Mayer 

cvcral years and 

ixunuls ago. I ran a lot 
i::i ol ixiad races. 1 ottcn 
ran thciii "haiidit." That is, 
instead ol paying the registra- 
tion fee. receiving a number, 
and being olTicial. I wouki 
hop in at the back ol the pacl\. 
run t!ie course, and \eer oil 
just before the finish line. 

It wasn't exactly allowed. 
But then, it wasn't exactly for- 
bidden eillter. I figured. "Why 
pay a tee w iicn 1 can run the 
same course and gel the same 
benefits for nothing'.'" .After a 
while, tluaigh. I (.|int running 
"bandit" and startetl running 
"legal." Mere's wh\ . 

My conscience got to nie 
first. It takes an incredible 
amount of work by many vol- 
unteers to pull oil a I U-, 15-, 
or 20-kilometer race. There 
are pre-race publicity and 
mailings, regisliation lornis. 
water stations, statisticians, 
timers, first aid stations, 
post-race refreshments, and. 
ol course, the T-shirts, 
Nobodv' was getting rich oil 
the .SCi registration lees. 1 
decided that if 1 intended to 
reap the benefits o\ the races. 
1 needed to lake an active 
part in supporting them. 

Second. I noticed that as a 
"bandit " rininei' 1 never quite 
telt a iiart of the group. 
There is a peculiar cama- 
raderie and post-race 
bonding among runners. 
Everywhere tired, aching, 
sweats runners are re- 



agoni/ing over e\ci\ hill and 
reliving evciv luin. Not being 
named on the rosiei- left me 
1.111 the outside looking in. 

Third. I got in touch with 
the /•(■(// reason 1 was not 
paying the registration Ice. 
which had nothing to do with 
m\ budget. The primaiv 
reason I didn't officially join 
the lace was the Iceling deep 
down inside that I didn't 
do^crvc to join it. 

I have never been athletic. 
So, when it comes to sports, 
iinv sport, 1 have never 
excelled. I believed my run- 
ning wasn't good enough to 
mciit joining, so I felt ;/;\' run- 
ning didn't count lor anything. 

~ he aboNc reasons have a 
lot to do with why manv 
of you readers do not /'o/'// 
vour congregaliein. and whv 
many others w ho haw joined 
remain on the Iringes. 

In m\ years in chuich lead- 
ership, both as a lay person 
and pastor, I have had count- 
less conversations with people 
w ho say they dropped tuU ol 
church because lliev just 
ne\er lelt accepleil. "I lelt like 
I was an outsitler." Ami while 
there are manv w ays congre- 
gatitins can subtly exclude 
persons, there is also a degree 
to which the individual has 
the responsibility to stop rini- 
ning "bandit. " 

In his letter to the church 
at Corinth. Paul goes to great 
length to connnunicate just 
how vital and necessary every 
member is: "The eve cannot 



sa\ to the hand. 'I ilon'l neec 
viHi.' nt)i- again the head to 
the feet. '1 don't need \ou,' 
On the contraiy, those mem 
bcis of the body that seem tc 
be weaker are indispensable' 
(1 Cor. 12:21-22). 

I suspect that many believ- 
ers go about "churching" the 
same way I went about run- 
ning: believing in it. enjoying 
it. working at it. yet holding 
back for fear that their talent 
aien't really that valuable. 
1 hen thev' are frustrated and 
lonelv because thev don't lee 
a part of the group. 

Alter I stopped running 
"bandit." I still didn't win. I 
still didn't place, and I still 
didn't set any records. But I 
also no longer lelt like an 
outsider. Vou know what elsi 
I discovered? Some ol the 
hcsi runners (those who JiJ 
win, iilace, and set records) 
were the ones who gave me 
the most encoui-agcmcnt. 

So it you teel you aic on 
the outside looking in, 
examine yoursell and see il 
part of the |iroblem is that 
voii have been trying to 
lun "bandit," 



M 



Ri'hin Wciinfi'rili \/i;vi'C /.s 
pasior (if Kttkiiititi Ihid! Clniirli 
o) the HmIiivii 

Sirppiiiii Sioiics is a aihiiiiti ofjcr- 
iiii; siiiiiicsnoiis. pcrspirli\cs. and 
opiniiiiis — sihipsliols (<! tile — ilhil 
HI' liDpe arc helpful lo readers in ihei 
( hrisliaii joiiniey'. As the writer said 
III her jlrsi iiislallineiu. "Remember, 
when il comes to inanagiiif; life's dif 
ficidiies. we don't need lo walk on 
)\\iier We just need to learn where th 
stepping sialics are. " 



30 MkSSF.NC;1£R JULY U)96 




"I found Paul Grout's 'Stations of 
the Resurrection' helpful toward my 
understanding of the events leading up 
to Jesus' crucifixion." 




Help along the stations 

found Paul Grout's "Stations of tlie 
■Resurrection" (April) helpful toward 
ny understanding of the events lead- 
ng up to lesus' crucifixion. 

I am a United Methodist who has 
been introduced to MeiSSI-nci^r by 
j'ery dear friends in Northview Church 
>f the Brethren in Indianapolis. 
I Wllkic riioiiip^oii 

' Tucson. An':. 

Too flippant about angels 

Cen Gibble's April article, "Angels; 
,rhey're Everywhere." bothers me. 
fhe current preoccupation with 
[mgels reflects humankind's great 
iieed for God. 

One task of angels is to protect 
iPsa. 91:11-12; 34:7). "We should be 
ivary of too quickly discounting 

escue stories. 
Another task is to guard children: 

Their (the children's) angels con- 

inually sec the face ot my Father in 
iieaven" (Matt. 18; 10). Those who 

)ut stumbling blocks before chil- 



^he opiiuons expressed in Letters are }un neeessarily 
hose of the ymigiizme. Readers should reeeive iheni in 
\he same spmt with which dijfmiig opinions are expressed 
ri face-to-face conversations. 

Letters should be brief, concise, and respectful of the 
pinions ofothen. L'reference ts given to li'tten that respoiui 
'irectly to items read in tlw magazine. 

We are willing to withhold the name of a writer 
nly when, in our editorial judginent. it is warranted. 
Ve will not consider any letter that comes to us 
■nsigned. Whether or not we prim the letter, the 
iriter's name is kept m strictest confidence. 

Address letters to Messenger editor, l-nl Dundee 
We.. Elgin. IL 60120. 



dren should heed the warning in 

Matthew 18;b. 
The Gibble article lacks a sense of 

reverence, of awe, toward angels. 

Who are we to judge? 

Doiiiiu Ford 
Rifton. S.y. 

Terrible art in April 

I am 88 and have taken MF'Ssengi^r 
all my life. And my parents before me 
took it. But as I went through the 
April issue and saw the picture on 
the cover and those on pages 16-19, 
how terriblel 

Liihi Heinlcrsoii 
Perkins. Uklu. 

We are not alone 

I appreciate the March articles on 
mental illness. They were well done. 

As the father of a child with a seri- 
ous mental illness, I know how 
difficult it is to live with a mentally ill 
person and how alone one can tecl in 
dealing with the illness. Feelings of 
inadequacy and guilt abound as one 
wonders why one's tamily has to be 
so burdened. 

Articles such as those in Messen- 
GER help to develop support for 
people in our situation. They also 
help us to realize that we are not 
alone in dealing with menial illness. 

Bob Chase 
New Windsor. Md. 

Well done and informative 

The March Messenger had a great 
set of articles on mental illness. It 




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with 
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Videography by David Sollenberger 

Accompany lour guides 
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as they take us on a Brethren 

Heritage Tour to Switzerland, 

France, Germany, and 

The Netherlands 

Visit Schwarzenau, Mack's Mill, 

the Eder River, the Brethren 

Museum, sites of Anabaptist 

martyrdom, castles, 

and cathedrals 

A video to be seen for pure 
enjoyment, as a teaching tool 
for a Brethren History Class, or 
a pastor's membership class. 



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July 1996 Messengkr 31 



"The gifts Christ gave ivere that some would be 
:'J ^--- /apostles, '^--^^^ 
• "■ so^ne prophets,-^ ^:^ -- . 
some evangelists, i ■ • -- ^ 

some pastors, 
some teachers..." 

I -^ - . Hl'lllMA\b4*' 



WheiieilJlirM 




Bethany Theological Scminarv r some as counselors, some as 

can help vou explore where \our y? chaplains, some as evangelists, 

taith is leading vou. Masters degree f1,>, some as pastors, some as teachers, 

and certificate programs prepare w'i What lies ahead for you? 

Bethany Theological Seminary 

hl5 X.ilion.il Imi.uI Wi'si, Kuhiiiiind, huiiaiia 47374 

For iiiformatien and dirertienN to our new campus call Debbie Eisenbise at 

1-800-BTS-8822. 



F 



H 



The Language of God 

' roni generation to generation, the U'ord of (iod never 
changes. But ihi' words we use do change, so people of 
lailh gather together in councils lo develop translations that 
share the |)o\ver of (iod with our children. N^^/ 

The New Ke\ised Standard \ersion is your Bihie, developed by scholars 
from U)ur denomination through your (louneil of (Ihurches. 

The Bible liind is a part of tlie National Council of the (Juirches of 
Christ that seeks to sujiport the development and use of standard Bible 
translations. 

We ensure iiible translations and stuch tools unaffected b\ eominercial 
pressures. We can help you and your congregation 
grow closer to scripture. 

1-800-541-2425 

Dr hill l,i'\('ntii;, Diretior 

KtHHii')!^ • rs Ki\(TsiiIr !)ri\r • \cu V»rk, M KIIIS (HKO 




/Kcrs 



was well done and inlonnative. Now 
let's (.K) ;i similar set ol articles on 
domestic \iolence. .As a domestic \io- 
leiice program coordinator, I'd he 
;^lad to helji. 

Sluiidii Hume, 
l-lilin. Ill 

Timely and accurate 

As a psychialiisl specializing in ti'cat 
ng depression. I found the March 
irlicles on menial illness timely aiul 
iccuiate. 

Although depression is a prevalent 
llness. it c)lten goes undiagnosed 
ind Loitieatcd because of the public'; 
misunderstanding. The March arti- 
cles g(,i a long way toward dispelling 
the many myths and the misinlbrma- 
lion, and gi\e much hope to sullerer; 
and their families. 

I am passing copies ol these arli- 
eles on lo my colleagues and 
patients. 

Siiniii I). I.cr 
Phihidclphui. Pa 

Why debate Jesus Christ 

Dale Brown, in his March article, 
"Can Cbrisi be Both l'\clusi\e and 
lnclusi\e'.' " he says that Brethren are 
debating what we can say and believe 
about jesus Christ. 

That's news lo me! jesus doesn'l 
exclude anyone; the person does. 
Since the New 'I'eslament is our only 
cieeel. how can there be any debate 
ab(.)ut jesus Christ? Why write a 
statemenl aboul what we believe? 
\ou either believe or you don't. 

Let's get back lo basic beliefs in 
lesus CJirist. our l,ord and Savior of 
the world. 

I.omsi' ('. I Icniiq 
Wiishlniilon. DC 

Waiting in vain 

I had been eagerly awaiting Mhssi^n- 
ci Ks report of the j'romise Keepers 
Clergy Conference for Men in 
Atlanta in f'ebruarv. With 40.000 



32 Messenger |uly 1996 



Pontius' Puddle 



Send payment for reprimiHg "Poutmi Puddle" from Messenger to 
Joel Kan ffiyuinn. Ill Carter Road. Goihen. IN •i6526. $25 for one 
time use $li) for second strip in id me issue S 10 for congregations 



ittendees. it was the largest gather- 
ng of Christian clergymen in the 
listory of Christianity. 

I attended with concern about 
he group's all-male makeup, but 1 
'eft Atlanta a different person, it 
jvas one of the richest experiences 
bf my life. 

I Messenger was remiss in not cov- 
;ring this important event. 

Larry A/. Dottier 
East Berlin. A;. 

Who started CROP? 

jFhe May Messi:nger, page 6. gives 
M.R. Zigler credit for starting CROP 
I.Christian Rural 0\erseas Program). 
I have always understood that |ohn 
jvletzler Sr. did that. 
I Eriiesiine Hoff Enirick 

La \'enie. Calif. 

I (We based our statement on the 
i'ROP item in the Brethren Encyclo- 
pedia, which states that \LR. Zigler. 
\hen executive of the Brethren Service 
Coniniission. began the consultations 
\hat led to crop's founding. Church 
Vorld Service then hired John Met- 
ier Sr to direct the program. Since 
'olin Metzler Sr. wrote the encyclope- 
lia article, we consider it 
iefinitive. — Ed.) 



Who's on first? 

'David Eller, in "Brethren in the Land 
':)f the Miamis" (May. page 18) refers 
!o the Four Mile church as the 

econd Brethren congregation in 
! ndiana. 
! I grew up in that congregation. 

Zvery bit of history that 1 have ever 
read about Four Mile gives it as the 
I)ldest Brethren congregation in the 
;;tate — the mother of all Indiana 

brethren churches. 

Mary L. Check 
Sebring. flu. 

(There were Brethren in Indiana 
■IS earlx as 1 S02. Four Mile was 



ODE TO A BUILDiNG PROGRAM 

FOR WANT OF A BUILDING PROJECT 
SANCTUARY SPACE WAS LOST 

FOR WANT OF SANCTUARY SPACE 
NEW MEMBERS WERE LOST 




FOR WANT OF NEW MEMBERS 
A MISSION SPIRIT WAS LOST 

FOR WANT OF MISSION SPIRIT 
THE CONGREGATION WAS LOST 

FOR WANT OF A CONGREGATION 
THE CHURCH WAS LOST 

FOR WANT OF THE CHURCH 
GODS WORD WAS LOST 

FOR WANT OF GOD'S WORD 
ALL HUMANKIND BECAME LOST 




AND ALL FOR THE WANT 
OF A BUILDING PROJECT 



Insurance Protection 
Exclusively For Brethren 

Call 1-800-255-1243 




Mutual Aid 
Association 
Church of the Brethren 



/^ BRETHREN Identity 

ommitment to i ITiliny 
no Year History AV nomlnationai 
Suppoi"^ /\\ are Fund /I^Church 

and HomeovN^ner's a\ 

insurance rroie brernren 

Security /\i Personal Ser 

A\ Prompt A\ 

Churches... Homes... Forms... Renters 



July 1996 Messenger 33 



The St.T\,^c j;;J Ir,;,;; Kcv^j;;.ir, .st:i;^, 
will rc'Juie your moMng cosi at least 42% on 
moves within the Continental l S Foi miornntion 
anJ a :ree estimate ^all Lewis CORD northAmerican 

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J'tld'S 




Partners 
in Prayer 



Daily prayer guide: 

Sunday: '^our congregation's ministries 

Monday: Annual Conference olficers 

Tuesday: General Board and staff 

Wednesday: District executives, 

Bethan\ Seminary, colleges 

and university 
Thursday: General Sersices 

Friday: Parish Ministries 
Saturday: World Ministries 

July prayer concerns: 

Congregation: Camping ministries; 
summer Sunday school. 

Conference: C^llicers 1 red Bcrnhard. 
David Wine, and Anne Myers. Statf 
members Duane Steiner. Sue 
Thompson Moe. 

General Board: Board reorganiza- 
tion, luly 4; Cicneral Secretary 
search committee: Redesign Com- 
mittee presenting options to district 
conferences. 

Districts and schools: Summer 
school programs; district conler- 
ences. 

General Services: News Services, 
cosponsor of Cincinnati Habitat pro- 
ject. 

Parish Ministries: The .Andrew 
Center, cosponsor of Cincinnati 
Habitat project. 

World Ministries: BVS and Disaster 
Ser\ ices, cosponsors of Cincinnati 
Habitat project. 



organized ill ISW:). Tiiv group pircal- 
iiig it left the dciioiiiiiuilioi! to join ilic 
Disciples ofClirist. I lius lour Mile, in 
It sense, is the sccoiui Bretliren eon- 
iireiiation in Indiana. .Another wax lo 



To subscribe U 




call (800) "i2i-S0'iQl^A'M- -47 
Ask for Vicki. 



From the 
Office of Human Resources 

Needed regularly: part-lime pastors 

Moic lluni lull ol the CIuiilIi uI llie 
Brethren congregalioii.s cull part-lime pas- 
tors to serve them. Have you considered 
relocating to serve? Or. in retirement. Ii.i\c 
\ou considered serving one of these x.on- 
grcg.ilioiis',' 

Is yours a calling congregalion? 

\ie \ou idenlilying and calling loith |"'ei 
soils with gilts for ministry '.' How long has 
It hccn snicc you hn\c called someone inio 
ihc ministr\ ol ihc chuixh'.' 

li>r more intomianon. coiuiicl viiiir ilisnici 

cxcciiiiyc: or co-dirivtor of Ministry. 

lames Kinsc\- at iblOl i(i-/-,V()60 



put it would be to eall lour .Mile the 
cildcsi sur\i\ing Brethren congrega- 
lion in Indiana. — I.d. I 

What Baha'is believe 

1 iiin a Balia'i, and a Brctlircii friend 
made nic aware of Carl Braalcti's 
lanuary Missi \c.t i-: article. "No 
Oilier Ciospel." I appreciated the 
tirtiele. which adds perspeeti\e lo 
wide niisutulerslatiding about the 
Haha'i lailh. 

il is ini]iorlanl to ha\e unlettered 
discussions on matters of lailh and 
leligon and lo celebrate what u e all 
ha\e in common. In this regard. 
Hraaten has done a service by high- 
lighting other religions and their 
relation to Christianity from his per- 
spective. 

.Although Baha'is believe that all 
religions are valid, we take a more 
comprehensive view, which allirms 
both the saving grace of lesus and th 
validity ol all the world's religions. 
This particular teachitig of the faith i 
known as "progressive revelation." 

Christians who investigate the 
Baha'i faith will find that il in tio wa; 
mitigates the sacrilice and signili- 
cane of lesus. 

Dcbru kirchhel-Glazii 
liiiiies Creek. Pi 



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34 Messenger JiLV 1996 



luriiiiiff Points 



New 
Members 

Note: Congregations are asked 
to submit only the names of 
actual new members of the 
denomination. Do not include 
names of people who have 
merely transferred their mem- 
bership from another Church 
of the Brethren congregation, 

Antelope Park. W, Plains: Erik 
Anderson, Geoff Friesen 

Antelope Valley, S- Plains: 
Mary Choate: Trisha Horn; 
Alicia, Heather, & Micheal 
Knott: Amy. Bill>. Melissa, 
and Sarran McCoy: Staci 
Mount; Shawn O'Laughlin; 
Mary Beth & Sherry 
Sharp: Bradley Unruh: 
Cecil & Leonna Wiiherow 

Antioch, Shen.: Dealie <ic 
Langley Austin 

Bakersfield Communitv. Pac. 
S.W.: Dons Ladd 

Bear Creek, S. Ohio: 

Kathleen & Megan Eichel- 
berger, Alicia Erbaugh 

Beech Grove, S Ohio: 
Michelle Smith 

Black Rock, S Pa ; Courtney 
Beard. Bob & lanet Hann. 
Leonard & Lelty Laugh- 
man, Kelly Reed, Evelyn 
Werner Emminger, Selena 
W'underiich 

Brandts. S, Pa.: Cheryl Gehr. 
Karen & Tim Stanton. 
Kevin Tanger. Megan 
Thomas. Katrma Young 

Central. Virlina: Adam 
Childers. Karen Stanley. 
Sharon Stoneman 

Chambersburg, S Pa,: Ira & 
Dorothy Blough. Paul 
Diflendorfer. Wayne & 
Hattie Nicarrv 

Chiques, Atl. N.E.: Tyler 
Benner. Shawn Brandt. 
Sara Gainer. Sonda 
Haldeman. Philip Hosier, 
Amanda Nissley. luan 
Pham. Andrew Shenk. Tara 
Shenk 

Copper Hill, Virlina: Lowell 
Iddings. Martha Long. 
George Thomas 

Coventry, Atl, N.E.: [oshua 
Farman. Mark McMahon. 
Lucinda Schnovel. Linda 
Swavely 

Dixon, 111. Wis.: Laurie & 
Dean Harms. Matthew 
Bowers, David & Nathan 
Cornelius. Ean Scholz. 
Dorothy Frost. Lonnie 
Yount 

Drexel Hill. Atl. N.E.: 
Warren & Vadia Dewees. 
Kirk & Tammy Dise. Grace 
M\ers 

East Chippewa, N. Ohio: 
Ashley, lamie. & lulie 
Horsl; Andrew Hostetter; 
Nathan Hutson; Douglas & 
Kiyce Imhoff: Keith 
Kauffman 

Eden Valley. W. Plains: Cassie 
I'.lakeslee, Rick lenkins, 
Phillip & Leigh Kirkland. 



Lance & loyce Miller. 
Larry & Paulette Miller, 
Kerry & lessica Suiter 

Eversole, S, Ohio: Wendi 
Eshbaugh, loshua lones. 

Fairview, Mid. At).: Laci 
Dulin; Bobbi. Michelle & 
Carrie Eason: Catherine. 
Heidi & Kelly (ohnson: 
lessica Sedgwick 

Fralernily. Virlina: Leah 
Edwards. Eugene (t Mary 
Ann Moore 

Freeport, 111. Wis.: Rosa 
Buntjer. Arlene Cook. Bud 
&L Marcelene Miller 

Friendship. Mid. Atl.: Rose 
Brocato. Vanessa Howard. 
Betty & Russell (ohnson 

Greensburg, W. Pa.: Lynn 
Grimme. Arlie & ianice Ashe 

Hagerstown, Mid. Atl.: Scott 
.Arnett. Mindy Askew, 
Deanna Castle. Willis 
Clark. Tina Delauter. 
Shelby Druggers. Melissa 
Early." Blair & Cheryl 
Gardner, Tracey Lapole. 
Marsha Massey. Mike 
Metzel. Tiffany Mullen- 
dore, Olive Peters, lay 
Reichard. Angie & Anita 
Rhoderick. lulie Shobe, 
Sarah Shuman. Kevin 
Snyder, Randy Sprecher 

Harrisburg First. Atl. N.E : 
Paul Albin. Eric Benson. 
,AJexia Diedel. Brandon 
Grady. Geoffrey & Rachel 
Knight, Becki Keitzell. Tia 
Meyers, Noah Mumma 

Hatfield, Atl N.E.: Andrew 
Hanks. Karen Rice 

Heidelberg. -Atl. N E.: lanelle 
Hartman 

Hollidaysburg. Mid. Pa.: 
SyK ia Boyles, Carolyn 
Fr\e. Tom Wolf 

Hopewell. Virlina: Michael 
Dillon. 

Huntsdale. S. Pa.: |oni 
Baldwin, lessica 
McCuUough. Becky 
Brougher, David Knight, 
leremy Thumma 

Kokomo, S/C Ind.: Amanda 
Beckom, Brian Mund. lohn 
& Ryan Pyke. Michael 
Smith. Corrie Wann 

Lancaster. .-Xtl. NE.: Beverly 
& Connie Bauer; Shawn 
Beam; Ashley. Joan & 
William Brinkman; 
Elizabeth Carr; Phil 
Clemens; Matthew Harnish: 
Emily Hess; Melissa 
Hufford: Craig & Linda 
Husted: Carrie Lunger: Eric 
Shulenberger; Charlene 
Smitley: Emily Sw'eigarl- 
Rios: Rachel Zubko 

Lansing First. Mich.: Anne 
White 

Lititz. Atl. N.E.: Ashley 
Bomberger. Emily 
Bingeman. Colin Crosby. 
Shannon Fleming. Cindy 
Kreider. Ricky 
Longenecker, Kar